title: Traumatic dislocation of the atlanto-occipital joint.
abstract: We present four patients who had sustained a traumatic dislocation of the atlanto-occipital joint. The diagnosis was initially missed in two patients. One patient, who was neurologically intact, was treated non-operatively. The remaining three recovered neurologically after an occipitocervical fusion. Early recognition of the injury, especially in multiply-injured patients with head injuries, and timely management may improve survival and neurological recovery.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Natal, Durban, South Africa.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Govender
authors.forename: G J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Vlok
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Fisher-Jeffes
authors.forename: C P
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Du Preez
mesh_terms: D000063:Accidents, Traffic; D000328:Adult; D001269:Atlanto-Occipital Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries*; D006259:Craniocerebral Trauma / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D004204:Joint Dislocations / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D011859:Radiography; D013124:Spinal Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology