title: Use of dual transarticular screws to fixate simultaneous occipitoatlantal and atlantoaxial dislocations.
abstract: Occipitoatlantal dislocation and atlantoaxial vertical distraction are caused by similar mechanisms, and few individuals survive these injuries. It is hypothesized that the injurious vertical force manifests as a traumatic lesion at different levels of the same ligamentous complex. The authors report the cases of two patients who presented with this combined lesion, describe surgical alternatives for stabilization, and introduce a new technique that combines the use of transarticular screws in a "dual" construct, without involving the unaffected spine.
authors.affiliation: Division of Neurological Surgery, Spinal Biomechanics Research Laboratory, Barrow Neurological Institute, St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center, Phoenix, Arizona 85013-4496, USA.
authors.forename: L Fernando
authors.initials: LF
authors.lastname: Gonzalez
authors.forename: Jeffrey D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Klopfenstein
authors.forename: Neil R
authors.initials: NR
authors.lastname: Crawford
authors.forename: Curtis A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Dickman
authors.forename: Volker K H
authors.initials: VK
authors.lastname: Sonntag
mesh_terms: D000063:Accidents, Traffic; D000328:Adult; D001269:Atlanto-Occipital Joint / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery*; D001863:Bone Screws; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D004204:Joint Dislocations / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014711:Vertebral Artery / Q000293:injuries