title: Odontoid Osteomyelitis in Children: Illustrative Case Reports and Review of the Literature.
abstract: Odontoid osteomyelitis is a rare disease which is frequently misdiagnosed as torticollis, leading to a delay in diagnosis. We present 2 illustrative cases and a systematic literature review summarizing previously reported cases. Odontoid osteomyelitis should be considered in children presenting with decreased head movements and with elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate, particularly without improvement while receiving antiinflammatory treatment. Plain radiographs can be misleading, and magnetic resonance imaging should be performed for better visualization.
authors.affiliation: From the *Infectious Diseases Unit and †Department of Diagnostic, Interventional and Paediatric Radiology, University Children's Hospital, Berne, Switzerland; ‡Infectious Diseases Unit, The Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia; §Infectious Diseases Unit and Paediatric Pharmacology, University of Basel Children's Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland; and ¶Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: Petra
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Zimmermann
authors.forename: Nicole
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ritz
authors.forename: Enno
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Stranzinger
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D009809:Odontoid Process / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology; D010019:Osteomyelitis; D014103:Torticollis / Q000209:etiology
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents