Trauma in congenital atlanto-axial dislocation

An infantile alantoaxial dislocation with patent foramen ovale managed with titanium cabling and allogenic bone grafts

Atlantoaxial dislocation is a disorder that is characterized with loss of stability of the atlas and axis (C1-C2) with consequential loss of usual articulation. Although this condition is very common, no one has reported a case as young as our patients. We present a 7-month infant with bilateral paralysis of the lower limbs for four (4) months with no history of trauma. Computer tomographic (CT-scan) imaging revealed alantoaxial dislocation with severe cervical spinal cord compression. The odontoid process is displaced outwardly with no bone destruction. Doppler echocardiogram done revealed patent foramen ovale. Thorough physical examination as well as radiological evaluation revealed no feather malformations. Electrophysio - logical studies reveal normal compound muscle action potentials (CMAP) and sensory nerve action potentials (SNAPs) in all the limbs. Electromyography (EMG) also revealed normal nerves in the limbs and the trunk. We attained a stable fusion and anatomical reduction using a posterior titanium wire and an iliac bone graft harvested from his mother. This is the youngest patient reported in literature. Infantile alantoaxial dislocation should be managed at early stage to prevent long-term neurologic disorders.

A review of the diagnosis and treatment of atlantoaxial dislocations

Study Design Literature review. Objective Atlantoaxial dislocation (AAD) is a rare and potentially fatal disturbance to the normal occipital-cervical anatomy that affects some populations disproportionately, which may cause permanent neurologic deficits or sagittal deformity if not treated in a timely and appropriate manner. Currently, there is a lack of consensus among surgeons on the best approach to diagnose, characterize, and treat this condition. The objective of this review is to provide a comprehensive review of the literature to identify timely and effective diagnostic techniques and treatment modalities of AAD. Methods This review examined all articles published concerning "atlantoaxial dislocation" or "atlantoaxial subluxation" on the PubMed database. We included 112 articles published between 1966 and 2014. Results Results of these studies are summarized primarily as defining AAD, the normal anatomy, etiology of dislocation, clinical presentation, diagnostic techniques, classification, and recommendations for timely treatment modalities. Conclusions The Wang Classification System provides a practical means to diagnose and treat AAD. However, future research is required to identify the most salient intervention component or combination of components that lead to the best outcomes.

Atlas shrugged: cervical myelopathy caused by congenital atlantoaxial dislocation aggravated by child labor

BACKGROUND

Symptomatic atlantoaxial dislocation is common in predisposing genetic or acquired disorders. However, an isolated atlantoaxial dislocation frequently is congenital and silent unless discovered during course of evaluation for neurological symptoms of cervical spinal cord injury attributed to minor or chronic, repetitive trauma.

PATIENT

A 12-year-old girl working as a farm laborer developed calf pain provoked by walking, which increased in severity and progressed to involve the upper limbs. It was followed by progressive ascending quadriplegia. The illness resembled acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy with respiratory involvement. Presence of "claw" hands bilaterally and wasting of intrinsic muscles of the hands led to the suspicion of a cervical myelopathy.

RESULT

Neuroimaging confirmed a congenital atlantoaxial dislocation with basilar invagination. The absence of abnormal signals in the cervical spinal cord was unusual. The symptomatic congenital atlantoaxial dislocation was postulated to be precipitated by chronic trauma suffered while habitually carrying heavy loads on the head and leading to spinal cord injury without radiographic abnormalities. Correction via surgery was successful.

CONCLUSIONS

Congenital atlantoaxial dislocation should be suspected in a clinical setting of neurological symptoms of cervical spinal cord injury without obvious trauma or predisposing primary diseases. Prompt cervical spine imaging reveals the correct diagnosis. Physicians in countries in which child labor is rampant should be aware of the potential complications of cervical cord injuries from child labor.