title: Type II Odontoid Fracture with Atlantoaxial Dislocation Presenting as Symptomatic Seizures: A Case Report.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To report symptomatic seizures of a patient with an old type II odontoid fracture with atlantoaxial dislocation. The type II odontoid fracture is a dangerous disease and presents as neurological deficits. Because of the compression of upper cervical cord, without timely diagnosis and treatment, a type II odontoid fracture may result in sudden death. Although it has been shown that epileptic seizures may lead to type II odontoid fracture, there is no report of symptomatic seizures in patients with odontoid fracture.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 16-year-old adolescent boy with neurological deficits, especially grand mal seizures for duration of 5 years, was diagnosed as an old type II odontoid fracture with atlantoaxial dislocation and treated in our hospital. A 1-year follow-up was performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Systematic analyses of the clinical history, manifestations, physical examination, and radiologic results of the patient revealed an old type II odontoid fracture. Magnetic resonance imaging showed spinal cord compression and degeneration. The patient received posterior atlantoaxial fixation and fusion procedure following successful closed reduction. The frequency of seizures was reduced to once a month and there was a thorough recovery in other neurological functions 1 year after the operation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Old type II odontoid fracture might present as symptomatic seizures in addition to other neurological deficits. Posterior atlantoaxial screw-plate fixation and fusion is an effective treatment for old type II odontoid fracture.
authors.affiliation: The First Department of Spine, Tianjin Hospital, Tianjin, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Guoyun
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bu
authors.affiliation: Chinese People's Liberation Army No. 94 Hospital, Jiangxi, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Feng
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Shuang
authors.affiliation: The First Department of Spine, Tianjin Hospital, Tianjin, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Gang
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics, the First Affiliated Hospital of Chinese People's Liberation Army General Hospital, Beijing, People's Republic of China. Electronic address: wuye160313@163.com.
authors.forename: Ye
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics, the First Affiliated Hospital of Chinese People's Liberation Army General Hospital, Beijing, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Shuxun
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hou
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics, the First Affiliated Hospital of Chinese People's Liberation Army General Hospital, Beijing, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Dongfeng
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ren
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001268:Atlanto-Axial Joint / Q000002:abnormalities / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery*; D000013:Congenital Abnormalities; D004830:Epilepsy, Tonic-Clonic / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D004204:Joint Dislocations / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D009809:Odontoid Process / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery*; D012640:Seizures / Q000209:etiology*; D013117:Spinal Cord Compression / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D016103:Spinal Fractures / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*
keywords: Atlantoaxial dislocation; Case report; Type II odontoid fracture