title: Retro-odontoid cystic mass treated by laminectomy and C1-C2 fixation.
abstract: Retro-odontoid cysts associated with chronic atlantoaxial subluxation are extremely rare. This article describes a case of retro-odontoid cystic mass associated with chronic atlantoaxial subluxation and its management with posterior C1 and partial C2 laminectomy and C1-C2 pedicle screw fixation without resection of the retro-odontoid cyst. A 64-year-old woman experienced a sudden onset of neck pain, hand and foot paresthesia. Atlantoaxial instability associated with a retro-odontoid cystic mass was found in the imaging. The patient underwent posterior C1 and partial C2 laminectomy and C1-C2 pedicle screws fixation without resection of the retro-odontoid cyst. During the 24 months followup period, the cyst disappeared completely and the patient remained symptom free and returned to independent daily living. These findings suggest that posterior laminectomy and fixation without resection of the retro-odontoid cyst is relatively simple and safe and the results are satisfactory.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, The Affiliated Southeast Hospital of Xiamen University, Orthopaedic Center of People's Liberation Army, Zhangzhou 363000, China.
authors.forename: Dasheng
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, The Affiliated Southeast Hospital of Xiamen University, Orthopaedic Center of People's Liberation Army, Zhangzhou 363000, China.
authors.forename: Zhenqi
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Ding
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, The Affiliated Southeast Hospital of Xiamen University, Orthopaedic Center of People's Liberation Army, Zhangzhou 363000, China.
authors.forename: Yanjie
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Guo
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, The Affiliated Southeast Hospital of Xiamen University, Orthopaedic Center of People's Liberation Army, Zhangzhou 363000, China.
authors.forename: Kejian
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Lian
keywords: Atlantoaxial subluxation; Spine; atlantoaxial instability; cervical vertebrae; joint instability; orthopedic equipment; posterior fixation; retro-odontoid cyst; spinal diseases