Posterior fusion for odontoid fracture in an infant--case report.
A 2-year-3-month-old girl presented with a rare displaced odontoid fracture. She was managed nonoperatively by manipulation followed by 3-month extracorporeal fixation with a halo brace. However, lateral radiography revealed recurrent dislocation at the base of the odontoid process. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated a "synchondrotic slip." She therefore underwent posterior wiring with iliac bone grafting to prevent pseudoarthrosis. The odontoid process had fused to the axis at 4 months postoperatively. Surgical management should be considered as a treatment method for pediatric odontoid fracture because of the difficulties in maintaining long-term immobilization and confirming the union.
Uemura
K
K
Department of Neurosurgery, Tsukuba Memorial Hospital, Ibaraki.
Matsumura
A
A
Noguchi
S
S
Shibata
T
T
Ito
M
M
Kobayashi
E
E
Maki
Y
Y
Nose
T
T
D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D004204:Joint Dislocations / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D009809:Odontoid Process / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries*; D009984:Orthopedic Fixation Devices; D011859:Radiography; D016103:Spinal Fractures / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery* / Q000628:therapy; D013123:Spinal Fusion