Feasibility of occipital condyle screw placement for occipitocervical fixation: a cadaveric study and description of a novel technique

Occipital Cervical Stabilization Using Occipital Condyles for Cranial Fixation: Technical Case Report

OBJECTIVE

Presentation of a successful case of craniocervical stabilization involving a novel surgical technique using the occipital condyles as the sole cranial fixation points.

CLINICAL PRESENTATION

A 22-year-old man presented in a delayed fashion with neck pain after a motor vehicle accident. Evaluation revealed a type 2 odontoid fracture with pseudarthrosis and displacement of the dens superiorly and cranial settling of the dens.

INTERVENTION

The patient underwent posterior occipitocervical fixation with a polyaxial screw rod construct using the occipital condyle, C1 lateral mass, and C2 pars articularis for fixation. The patient had no immediate postoperative deficits. At the time of the 12-month follow-up examination, the patient was neurologically intact with a solid occipitocervical fusion.

CONCLUSION

Craniocervical stabilization using occipital condyle screws as the sole cephalad fixation points is a feasible option and can be used safely without neurovascular complication in the treatment of craniocervical instability.