title: Retropharyngeal pseudomeningocele presenting as dysphagia after atlantooccipital dislocation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  At the conclusion of this paper, the readers should be able to recognize a retropharyngeal pseudomeningocele as a potential complication of atlanto occipital dislocation.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To demonstrate how a retropharyngeal pseudomeningocele may present as dysphagia in a patient who is recovering from atlanto occipital dislocation as well as to discuss the treatment options in this situation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Case report and literature review.
  
  
  METHODS
  Analysis of a case through medical record and literature review.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A retropharyngeal pseudomeningocele is a very rare complication of atlanto occipital dislocation. It may develop weeks after the initial injury and can present with respiratory or swallowing difficulties. Decompression via a ventriculoperitoneal or lumboperitoneal shunt facilitates resolution of the cerebral spinal fluid collection.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A retropharyngeal pseudomeningocele should be considered in all patients status post-atlanto occipital dislocation who are experiencing respiratory distress or dysphagia.
authors.affiliation: Departments of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. david.cognetti@mail.tju.edu
authors.forename: David M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Cognetti
authors.forename: W Scott
authors.initials: WS
authors.lastname: Enochs
authors.forename: Thomas O
authors.initials: TO
authors.lastname: Willcox
mesh_terms: D000063:Accidents, Traffic; D000328:Adult; D001269:Atlanto-Occipital Joint / Q000293:injuries*; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D004204:Joint Dislocations / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008588:Meningocele / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D010614:Pharynx; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed