title: Troublesome occipital neuralgia developed by c1-c2 harms construct.
abstract: Recently, Harms and Melcher modified Goel's approach, the C1 lateral mass and C2 pedicle screw fixation, and the new technique is currently in favor among neurosurgeons. Comparing to the advantages of Harms construct, the disadvantages were not extensively investigated. We experienced a patient with severe occipital pain developed after the C1 lateral mass screw placement for the traumatic atlantoaxial instability. We reviewed literatures about Harms construct with focus on the occipital neuralgia as a postoperative complication and suggest here technical tips to avoid the troublesome pain.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Gangneung Asan Hospital, College of Medicine, Ulsan University, Gangneung, Korea.
authors.forename: Woo-Tack
authors.initials: WT
authors.lastname: Rhee
authors.forename: Seung-Hoon
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: You
authors.forename: Suk-Kyoung
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Sang-Youl
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Lee