Sun YH, Wang L, Ren JT, Wang SX, Jiao ZD, Fang J. Early reoccurrence of traumatic posterior atlantoaxial dislocation without fracture: A case report.
World J Clin Cases 2021;
9:1461-1468. [PMID:
33644216 PMCID:
PMC7896674 DOI:
10.12998/wjcc.v9.i6.1461]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2020] [Revised: 12/21/2020] [Accepted: 12/30/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND
In general, atlantoaxial dislocation is rare due to the stability of the C1-C2 complex. Traumatic atlantoaxial dislocations are usually anterior and accompanied by odontoid fractures. Posterior atlantoaxial dislocations are rare, and complete posterior dislocation without associated fracture is even more rare. A case of early recurrence of posterior atlantoaxial dislocation without fracture being in therapy of first closed reduction and then open reduction has not been previously reported.
CASE SUMMARY
A 45-year-old female presented with traumatic posterior atlantoaxial dislocation (TPAD) of C1-C2 without associated fractures, and Frankel Grade B spinal cord function. She was successfully managed by immediate closed reduction under skull traction. Unexpectedly, 17 d later, re-dislocation was discovered. On day 28, closed reduction was performed as before but failed. Then, open reduction and posterior internal fixation with autologous iliac bone grafts was performed. By 6 mo after surgery, atlantoaxial joint fusion was achieved, and neurological function had recovered to Frankel Grade E. At 12 mo follow-up, she had lost only 15° of cervical rotation, and atlantoaxial complex instability in joint flexing and extending were no longer observed under fluoroscopy.
CONCLUSION
Early assessment of transverse ligament is critical for TPAD without fracture avoiding re-dislocation after closed reduction.
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