title: Application of a novel headrest system for odontoid screw fixation. Technical note.
abstract: The authors describe a unique headholder device adapted to facilitate the placement of anterior odontoid screws. The patient's head is affixed in the headholder equipped with an articulating arm that can be placed in a paramedian fashion. This configuration rigidly fixates the head and provides an unencumbered open-mouth view of the odontoid using radiographic images, thus making screw placement easier.
authors.affiliation: Division of Neurological Surgery, Barrow Neurological Institute, St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center, Phoenix, Arizona 85013, USA.
authors.forename: Jonathan S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Hott
authors.forename: Vivek R
authors.initials: VR
authors.lastname: Deshmukh
authors.forename: Stephen M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Papadopoulos
authors.forename: Robert F
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Spetzler
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001863:Bone Screws; D016267:External Fixators; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000601:surgery*; D006257:Head; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009809:Odontoid Process / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery*; D019637:Orthopedic Procedures / Q000295:instrumentation; D012146:Rest