title: Posterior fusion for odontoid fracture in an infant--case report.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Tsukuba Memorial Hospital, Ibaraki.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Uemura
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Matsumura
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Noguchi
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Shibata
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ito
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kobayashi
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Maki
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nose
mesh_terms: 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