title: Cysts of the atlantoaxial joint: excellent long-term outcome after posterolateral surgical decompression. Report of two cases.
abstract: Articular cysts of the atlantoaxial joint are infrequently described and probably an underreported cause of upper cervical spinal cord compression. The authors report on two patients with cysts located posteriorly of the dens in whom a C-1 and partial C-2 hemilaminectomy with subtotal resection of the cyst provided adequate and stable decompression 1 year postoperatively. The clinical and magnetic resonance imaging features and the surgical approach are discussed after a review of the literature.
authors.affiliation: University of Trieste, Italy. ncarraro@fmc.univ.trieste.it
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zorzon
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Skrap
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Diodato
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Nasuelli
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Lucci
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001268:Atlanto-Axial Joint / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D019299:Decompression, Surgical; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D009809:Odontoid Process / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011859:Radiography; D013117:Spinal Cord Compression / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D013581:Synovial Cyst / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome