title: Odontoid osteomyelitis with atlantoaxial subluxation in an infant.
abstract: To report a rare case of odontoid osteomyelitis with atlantoaxial subluxation in a 6-month-old infant.
  
  
  
  Odontoid osteomyelitis with atlantoaxial subluxation is extremely rare in children. Although several cases have been reported, there have been no studies concerning proper surgical drainage and immobilization in this disease.
  
  
  
  A 6-month-old infant with odontoid osteomyelitis with atlantoaxial subluxation was surgically treated. The patient underwent a 3-month intravenous and oral antibiotic course and the Minerva body jacket cast was used for 3 months. Follow-up was carried out with computed tomographic scans and a cervical spine dynamogram.
  
  
  
  At 18 months post-surgery, the patient had completely recovered with no cervical instability. Computed tomographic scans revealed complete fusion of odontoid synchondrosis. The infant remained asymptomatic with a full range of head movement.
  
  
  
  Surgical drainage and proper immobilization appears to be a satisfactory treatment for pyogenic osteomyelitis of odontoid synchondrosis secondary to retropharyngeal abscess and atlantoaxial subluxation.
  
  
  
  N/A.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Gangnam Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 211 Eonju-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, 06273, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Hoon
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Gangnam Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 211 Eonju-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, 06273, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Hyung Kwon
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Byeon
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Gangnam Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 211 Eonju-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, 06273, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Hak-Sun
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Gangnam Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 211 Eonju-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, 06273, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Jung Jun
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Hong
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Gangnam Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 211 Eonju-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, 06273, Republic of Korea. spinesuk@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Kyung-Soo
authors.identifier: 0000-0003-0633-2658
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Suk
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001268:Atlanto-Axial Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D004322:Drainage; D006801:Humans; D007103:Immobilization / Q000379:methods; D007223:Infant; D004204:Joint Dislocations / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D055624:Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus; D009809:Odontoid Process / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D010019:Osteomyelitis / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D017703:Retropharyngeal Abscess / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents
keywords: Atlantoaxial subluxation; Odontoid; Osteomyelitis; Pediatrics; Retropharyngeal abscess