Regression of an atlantoaxial degenerative articular cyst associated with subluxation during conservative treatment. Case report and review of the literature.
The presence of an atlantoaxial degenerative articular cyst is rare; when present this lesion extends posteriorly to the dens, causing cervicomedullary compressive myelopathy. The authors describe a symptomatic case of this lesion associated with atlantoaxial subluxation in a 76-year-old man. The patient's neurological symptoms resolved and corresponded to a reduction in the size of the cyst. After 8 months of continued conservative treatment, in which the patient wore a Philadelphia collar, the cyst spontaneously regressed. Subsequently, a C1-2 posterior fusion was performed to treat the atlantoaxial subluxation.
Sagiuchi
Takao
T
Department of Neurosurgery, Kitasato University School of Medicine, Sagamihara, Kanagawa, Japan. sagiuchi-t@kitasato.or.jp
Shimizu
Satoru
S
Tanaka
Ryusui
R
Tachibana
Shigekuni
S
Fujii
Kiyotaka
K
D000368:Aged; D001268:Atlanto-Axial Joint / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D001915:Braces; D006801:Humans; D007593:Joint Instability / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D013117:Spinal Cord Compression / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D013123:Spinal Fusion; D013581:Synovial Cyst / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*