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.
Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Tottori Red Cross Hospital, Tottori, 680-8517, Japan.
K
K
Yamane
H
H
Nagashima
S
S
Tanishima
R
R
Teshima
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*