title: Ossification of the posterior atlantoaxial membrane associated with atlas hypoplasia: A case report.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Hypoplasia with an intact posterior arch of the atlas and ossification of the posterior atlantoaxial membrane (PAAM) are individually rare.
  
  
  METHODS
  The patient presented with a 6-month history of progressive weakness and paresthesia of his lower extremities.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cervical myelopathy resulting from atlas hypoplasia and ossification of the posterior atlantoaxial membrane.
  
  
  METHODS
  Laminectomy of the atlas with duroplasty.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Preoperative symptoms were alleviated.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In most reported cases, either atlas hypoplasia or ossification of the PAAM is responsible for patients' myelopathy. The case illustrated here, to the best of our knowledge, is the first one with coexistent atlas hypoplasia and ossification of the PAAM. And laminectomy of the atlas with duroplasty provided satisfied outcome.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics, Changzheng Hospital Ningxia Medical University, Ningxia, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Yichen
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Meng
authors.forename: Dongxiao
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.forename: Rui
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gao
authors.forename: Jun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ma
authors.forename: Ce
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Xuhui
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Zhou
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001268:Atlanto-Axial Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D001270:Cervical Atlas / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D019299:Decompression, Surgical; D006801:Humans; D007796:Laminectomy; D008297:Male; D009999:Ossification, Heterotopic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*