Severe rotational deformity, quadriparesis and respiratory embarrassment due to osteomyelitis at the occipito-atlantoaxial junction.
We present the case of an 83-year-old man who developed quadriparesis and respiratory embarrassment following osteomyelitis at the occipito-atlantoaxial junction. He had developed an abscess at this site after an earlier urinary infection with methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus. Stabilisation of the neck and antibiotic therapy led to an almost complete neurological recovery without recourse to anterior surgery.
Yamane
K
K
Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Tottori Red Cross Hospital, Tottori, 680-8517, Japan.
Nagashima
H
H
Tanishima
S
S
Teshima
R
R
D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001174:Arthrodesis / Q000379:methods; D001268:Atlanto-Axial Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D004417:Dyspnea / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D009777:Occipital Bone / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D010019:Osteomyelitis / Q000150:complications*; D011782:Quadriplegia / Q000209:etiology*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014103:Torticollis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*