title: An unusual form of occipitocervical assimilation presenting with spastic tetraparesis in a child.
abstract: A diagnosis of 'cerebral palsy' in childhood is relatively common. Abnormalities of the upper cervical spine causing spinal cord compression are rare, but can be a cause of symptoms and signs that may otherwise be attributed to brain injury acquired during development. We present an interesting case of a congenital abnormality of the atlas causing severe cervical spinal cord compression in a 9-year-old child, together with a discussion of the relevant aspects of spinal development and a review of the literature.
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatric Neurosurgery, Mater Children's Hospital, South Brisbane, Qld., Australia.
authors.forename: James Anthony
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Martin James
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Wood
mesh_terms: D001270:Cervical Atlas / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000601:surgery; D002648:Child; D019299:Decompression, Surgical; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009128:Muscle Spasticity / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D009777:Occipital Bone / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000601:surgery; D011782:Quadriplegia / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D013117:Spinal Cord Compression / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery