Posterior Atlantoaxial Screw Placement in a Portuguese Population: A Morphometric Analysis Based on Computed Tomography Scan Measurements / Colocação de parafusos atlantoaxiais posteriores em uma população portuguesa: Uma análise morfométrica baseada em medidas de tomografia computadorizada

Abstract Objective The present study aims to evaluate the screw length and trajectory angles for posterior atlantoaxial fixation in a Portuguese population, through the study of cervical computed tomography (CT) scans. Methods Cervical CT scans of 50 adults were measured according to predefined screw trajectories of C1-C2 transarticular (C1C2TA), C1 lateral mass (C1LM), C2 pedicle (C2P), C2 pars and C2 laminar (C2L) screws. For each of these trajectories, screw length and angles were measured and compared between males and females. Results For the C1C2TA screw trajectory, the mean length, medial, and cranial angles were 34.12 ± 3.19 mm, 6.24° ± 3.06, and 59.25° ± 5.68, respectively, and for the C1LM screw trajectory, they were 27.12 ± 2.15 mm, 15.82° ± 5.07, and 13.53° ± 4.80, respectively. The mean length, medial, and cranial angles for the C2P screw trajectory were 23.44 ± 2.49 mm, 27.40° ± 4.88, and 30.41° ± 7.27, respectively; and for the C2 pars screw trajectory, they were 16.84 ± 2.08 mm, 20.09° ± 6.83, and 47.53° ± 6,97. The mean length, lateral, and cranial angles for the C2L screw trajectory were 29.10 ± 2.48 mm, 49.80° ± 4.71, and 21.56° ± 7.76, respectively. There were no gender differences except for the lengths of the C1C2TA (p= 0,020) and C2L (p= 0,001) screws, which were greater in males than in females. Conclusion The present study provides anatomical references for the posterior atlantoaxial fixation in a Portuguese population. These detailed data are essential to aid spine surgeons to achieve safe and effective screw placement.

Resumo Objetivo O presente estudo tem como objetivo avaliar o comprimento e os ângulos de trajetória do parafuso para fixação atlantoaxial posterior em uma população portuguesa por meio do estudo de tomografia computadorizada (TC) cervical. Métodos Tomografias computadorizadas cervicais de 50 adultos foram analisadas quanto às trajetórias pré-definidas dos parafusos transarticulares C1-C2 (C1C2TA), na massa lateral de C1 (C1LM), no pedículo de C2 (C2P) e na pars de C2 e C2 laminar (C2L). O comprimento e os ângulos dos parafusos em cada uma destas trajetórias foram medidos e comparados entre homens e mulheres. Resultados O comprimento médio e ângulos medial e cranial da trajetória do parafuso C1C2TA foram de 34,12 ± 3,19 mm, 6,24° ± 3,06 e 59,25° ± 5,68, respectivamente; as medidas da trajetória do parafuso C1LM foram 27,12 ± 2,15 mm, 15,82° ± 5,07 e 13,53° ± 4,80. O comprimento médio e os ângulos medial e cranial da trajetória do parafuso C2P foram de 23,44 ± 2,49 mm, 27,40° ± 4,88 e 30,41° ± 7,27, respectivamente; as medidas da trajetória do parafuso da pars de C2 foram 16,84 ± 2,08 mm, 20,09° ± 6,83 e 47,53° ± 6,97. O comprimento médio e ângulos lateral e cranial da trajetória do parafuso C2L foram de 29,10 ± 2,48 mm, 49,80° ± 4,71 e 21,56° ± 7,76, respectivamente. Não houve diferenças entre os gêneros, à exceção do comprimento dos parafusos C1C2TA (p= 0,020) e C2L (p= 0,001), que foi maior no sexo masculino do que no feminino. Conclusão O presente estudo fornece referências anatômicas para a fixação atlantoaxial posterior em uma população portuguesa. Estes dados detalhados são essenciais para ajudar os cirurgiões de coluna a colocar os parafusos de maneira segura e eficaz.

Characterization of Alar Ligament in Young Adult on 3.0T MRI: A Cross-sectional Study in IIUM Medical Centre, Kuantan

@#Introduction: Alar ligament is a paired craniocervical junction ligaments which stabilizes the atlantooccipital and atlantoaxial joints. The main purpose of the study was to compare the normal anatomy of alar ligament on MRI between male and female. The prevalence of alar ligament visualized on MRI and its characteristics were also studied apart from determining the association between the heights of respondents with alar ligament signal intensity and dimensions. Methods: Fifty healthy volunteers were studied using 3.0T MR scanner (Siemens Magnetom Spectra) by 2-mm proton density, T2 and fat-suppression sequences. Alar ligament visualization, dimensions and variability of the ligament courses, shapes and signal intensity characteristics were determined. Results: The orientation of the ligament was laterally ascending in most of the subjects (60%), predominantly oval in shaped (54%) and 67% showed inhomogenous signal. Females are 70% less likely to exhibit alar ligament signal inhomogeneity than males. There were positive correlation between height and the craniocaudal diameter of the alar ligament as well as the anteroposterior diameter, which were statistically significant (r = 0.25, n = 100, p = 0.01 and r = 0.201, n = 100, p = 0.045 respectively). Conclusion: Tremendous variability of alar ligament shows that clinical and multimodality correlation needs to be exercised, especially in evaluating alar ligament MR signal in male. Taller individuals otherwise tend to have longer and thicker ligaments. Future studies with larger samples of alar ligaments including trauma cases are also recommended to supplant a new classification system of alar ligament injury.

The Short-term Effectiveness of Three Manipulations for Atlantoaxial Joint Disorders and the Effects on Surface Electromyography of Sternocleidomastoid Muscle / 中医杂志

ObjectiveTo compare the short-term effectiveness of the three different manipulations for atlantoaxial joint disorders and their effects on surface electromyography of sternocleidomastoid muscle. MethodsNinty patients with atlantoaxial joint disorders were randomly divided into the tendon relaxing manipulation group， the tendon relaxing plus rehabilitation manipulation group， and the conventional manipulation group， with 30 cases in each group， and each group of patients received the corresponding manipulation treatment for 2 weeks. The changes of visual analogue score （VAS） of occipital neck pain， evaluation scale for cervical vertigo （ESCV）， and averaged electromyography （AEMG） of surface electromyography of bilateral sternocleidomastoid muscles before and after the treatment were observed， and the clinical effectiveness and safety of the patients were compared among groups. ResultsThe VAS scores of patients in each group decreased， and the ESCV scores increased after treatment （P＜0.01）， and the tendon relaxing manipulation group and the tendon relaxing plus rehabilitation manipulation group were significantly better than the conventional manipulation group （P＜0.01）. The AEMG of the bilateral sternocleidomastoid muscles of the three groups increased after treatment （P＜0.01）； when compared among the three groups， the AEMG of the bilateral sternocleidomastoid muscles of the tendon relaxing plus rehabilitation manipulation group was higher than that of the tendon relaxing manipulation group， and the tendon relaxing manipulation group was higher than that of the conventional manipulation group （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. The cure and markedly effective rates of the tendon relaxing manipulation group， the tendon relaxing plus rehabilitation manipulation group， and the conventional manipulation group were 56.67%， 86.67%， and 36.67% respectively， showing statistically difference （K=10.21， P＜0.01）. ConclusionThe tendon relaxing manipulation and tendon relaxing plus rehabilitation manipulation can effectively improve the symptoms of vertigo， headache， and neck pain for patients with atlantoaxial joint disorders， and can improve the contraction function of sternocleidomastoid muscle， whose effectiveness are better than that of conventional manipulation.

Effects of traction therapy on atlantoaxial joint dislocation-induced cervical vertigo

Cervical vertigo is a common complication of atlantoaxial joint dislocation. However, there is no consensus on the effects of different therapies on the recovery of the patients suffering cervical vertigo. The objective of this randomized controlled trial was to investigate the effect of traction therapy on reducing cervical vertigo induced by atlantoaxial joint dislocation. A total of 96 patients were randomized to receive traction therapy or traditional therapy for two weeks. The overall clinical efficacy was measured based on the 30-point cervical vertigo symptom and function evaluation form. The therapeutic effects were also evaluated based on lateral atlantodental space (LADS), vertigo scale, neck and shoulder pain scale, headache scale, daily life and work scale, psychosocial adaptation scale, and quality of life. Compared with the traditional therapy group, the traction group demonstrated markedly higher overall clinical efficacy (P=0.038). Both the traction therapy group and the traditional therapy group showed significant decrease in LADS (P<0.001), but the traction therapy group had a greater reduction of LAD compared with the traditional group (P<0.01). Traction therapy consistently led to significantly greater relief of cervical vertigo symptoms, including dizziness, neck and shoulder pain, headache, inconvenience in daily living and work activities, impaired psychosocial adaptation, while improving quality of life. The efficacy of traction therapy for cervical vertigo surpasses that of traditional therapy, suggesting that traction therapy is potentially more clinically useful in treating these patients.

Discussing tuina for atlantoaxial subluxation in adults based on the theory of 'tendon-bone balance' / 针灸推拿医学（英文版）

According to Chinese medicine, the atlantoaxial joint is a composite joint composed of tendons and bones, and the stability of the joint depends on the 'tendon-bone balance' involving tendons, ligaments, atlas and axis. Multiple causes of 'tendon off-position, joint subluxation' will lead to joint 'tendon-bone imbalance', which will evolve into atlantoaxial subluxation (AAS), endangering human health. Chinese therapeutic massage (tuina) is a very effective treatment for AAS in adults, but conventional manipulations are prone to ineffectiveness or accidents due to neglect of the causal relationship of the 'tendon-bone imbalance' and inappropriate manipulations. Compared with conventional manipulations, the rational choice of modified manipulations under the guidance of 'tendon-bone balance' theory is more effective and less risky, and more worthy of clinical promotion. From the 'tendon-bone balance' theory, we considered the shortcomings of conventional manipulations, and introduced several modified manipulations that have their own strengths in 'tendon smoothing' and 'bone setting', in order to provide new ideas for treatment of AAS in adults.

Biomechanical Study of Posterior Dynamic Fixation at Atlantoaxial Joints / 医用生物力学

Objective To evaluate the influence of dynamic fixation (rotating and sliding pedicle screws) on stability of the atlantoaxial joint. Methods A series of in vitro biomechanical tests were performed using six fresh adult cervical spines (occipital bone-C4 segment) to simulate different conditions in surgery， including the intact state, the injury state, rigid fixation, rotating pedicle screw fixation, sliding pedicle screw fixation. The repeated measurement design was employed, and under intact, injury and different fixation states, the pure moment of 1.5 N·m in flexion-extension, left-right lateral bending, left-right axial rotation directions were applied using the spinal testing machine. The movement of atlantoaxial spine was measured consecutively by three-dimensional （3D） measurement system in order to analyze the range of motion (ROM) and neutral zone (NZ) of atlantoaxial joints. Results Under injury state, ROM of atlantoaxial joints was significantly larger than that under intact state during flexion, extension, lateral bending and rotation, leading to the instability of atlantoaxial joints. ROM of fixation segments was significantly reduced during flexion, extension, lateral bending and rotation after rigid and dynamic fixation. Compared with rigid fixation, dynamic fixation showed a significant ROM increase during lateral bending. NZs of fixation segments after dynamic fixation were significantly reduced. There were no significant ROM differences between rigid fixation and dynamic fixation. Conclusions The stability of atlantoaxial joints by dynamic fixation during flexion, extension and rotation was comparable to that by rigid fixation, but weaker during lateral bending. Dynamic screw fixation can maintain the relative stability of atlantoaxial joints.

Grisel Syndrome: Case Report

We report a case of a rare disease, Grisel syndrome, which manifests as a kind of rotational fixation of the atlas on the axis, resulting from an infectious process of the upper airways. In the present report, we discuss etiology, clinical presentation, diagnosis, treatment and outcome after intervention.

Torticollis and Atlantoaxial Rotatory Subluxation after Chiropractic Therapy

Torticollis is an abnormal, asymmetric head or neck position which usually caused by imbalance of paracervical muscles. The traumatic torticollis can be caused by following events; atlantoaxial rotatory subluxation, atlantoaxial dislocation, cervical vertebral fractures, and injury to the cervical musculature. Especially, acute traumatic atlantoaxial rotatory subluxation usually presents limitation of cervical range of motion without pain or neurologic deficit. We report a case of a 58 year-old man who developed the acute atlantoaxial rotatory subluxation right after the chiropractic therapy, which induced the limitation of cervical range of motion to 52.5% of normal range. The magnetic resonance image revealed the facture of the odontoid process and the partial injury in transverse ligaments of the atlas. He underwent intramuscular botulinum toxin injection and 10 days of continuous cervical traction 15 hours a day using a 5 kg weight. The range of the cervical motion restored up to 90.2% of normal range.

Needle-knife therapy combined with moxa stick pressure moxibustion for cervical vertigo: a randomized controlled trial / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To compare the effect difference between needle-knife therapy combined with moxa stick pressure moxibustion and western medicine for cervical vertigo.@*METHODS@#A total of 60 cervical vertigo patients were randomized into an observation group and a control group, 30 cases in each group. The patients in the observation group were treated with needle-knife therapy combined with moxa stick pressure moxibustion at Baihui (GV 20), Shenting (GV 24), Tianzhu (BL 10), Yuzhen (BL 9), Touwei (ST 8), etc. The needle-knife therapy was given once a week, 1-3 times. The pressure moxibustion was given once a day, 6 times a week. The patients in the control group were received 12 mg of betahistine mesylate, twice a day, and 75 mg of diclofenac sodium double release capsule, once daily for oral treatment. The treatment was given for 3 weeks in both groups. The symptom and functional evaluation scale of cervical vertigo were observed before and after treatment and 3 months after treatment. The long-term effect was observed 3 months after treatment.@*RESULTS@#The total effective rate in the observation group was 93.3% (28/30), which was significantly higher than 63.3% (19/30) in the control group (<0.05). Compared with those before treatment, the scores of vertigo symptom and functional evaluation scale, dizziness, neck and shoulder pain, headache, daily life, psychological and social adaptability were increased in the two groups (<0.05, <0.01). Except for a slight decrease in headache and total score at the follow-up period in the observation group, the remaining 4 individual scores were higher than those after treatment (all <0.05). At follow-up, the total score and five individual scores were lower than those after treatment in the control group (<0.05, <0.01). Compared with those in the control group, the vertigo scale scores and the five individual scores in the observation group were increased significantly after treatment and at follow-up (<0.05, <0.01).@*CONCLUSION@#Needle-knife therapy combined with moxa stick pressure moxibustion can significantly relieve dizziness, headache, neck and shoulder pain in patients with CV, and can improve the quality of life . The combination therapy are better than western medicine, and have a better long-term effect.

Diagnosis of C2 Spondylotic Radiculopathy by Physical Examination and Imaging Studies and Treatment by Microscopic Posterior Foraminotomy: A Case Report / 대한척추외과학회지

STUDY DESIGN: Case report. OBJECTIVES: We report the case of a patient with C2 spondylotic radiculopathy who was treated by microscopic posterior foraminotomy. SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW: C2 spondylotic radiculopathy is rare, but it can occur due to spondylosis, compression by a venous plexus or vertebral artery, or hypertrophy of the atlantoepistrophic ligament. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A 64-year-old woman was hospitalized with severe occipital pain radiating toward the left cervical area and posterior to the left ear. It started 3 years previously, and became aggravated 3 months previously. Foraminal stenosis of C1-2 was observed on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and degenerative changes of the facet joint of C1-2 and osteophytes originating from the left atlantoaxial joint were shown on computed tomography (CT). Dynamic rotational CT showed narrowing of the left C1-2 neural foramen when it was rotated to the left. Selective C2 root block was done, but the pain was aggravated. Thus, we decompressed the C2 nerve root by microscopic posterior laminotomy of the C1 vertebra. After surgery, the patient's occipitocervical pain mostly resolved. By the 6-month follow up, pain had not recurred, and instability was not observed on plain radiographs. RESULTS: C2 Spondylotic radiculopathy was diagnosed by physical examination and imaging studies and it was treated by a surgical approach. CONCLUSIONS: C2 spondylotic radiculopathy should be considered when a patient complains of occipitocervical pain triggered by cervical rotation and C1-2 foraminal stenosis is observed on MRI and CT.

Secondary posterior internal fixation after transoral anterior atlantoaxial release under 3D operative microscopy for irreducible atlantoaxial dislocation / 中华创伤骨科杂志

Objective To explore the clinical efficacy of secondary posterior internal fixation after transoral anterior atlantoaxial release under 3D operative microscopy for treatment of irreducible atlantoaxial dislocation.Methods From January 2014 to May 2016,12 patients with irreducible atlantoaxial dislocation were treated with secondary posterior internal fixation after transoral anterior atlantoaxial release under 3D operative microscopy in our hospital.They were 7 males and 5 females,with an average age of 37.1 years (from 25 to 54 years).The efficacy was analyzed in terms of their visual analogue scale (VAS),Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) scoring,improvement rate of neurological function,American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) grading,atlas-dens interval (ADI),space available for the cord (SAC) and cervicomedullary angle (CMA) before and one year after operation.Results The patients were followed up for more than one year.All the atlantoaxial joints obtained anatomic reduction.Their preoperative values of VAS (5.73 ± 1.36 points),JOA score (9.03 ± 2.12 points),ADI (8.34 ± 1.12 mm),SAC (9.53 ± 0.69 mm) and CMA (121.23°±4.32°) were significantly improved one year after operation (1.21 ±0.63 points,14.32±2.51 points,2.83 ± 0.36 mm,14.23 ± 1.22 mm and 153.53° ± 9.25°, respectively) (P ＜0.05).The improvement rate of neurological function increased gradually with the postoperative time,reaching 94.14％ ±5.11％ one year after operation.The postoperative ASIA grading was significantly improved too one year after operation (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion Secondary posterior internal fixation after transoral anterior atlantoaxial release under 3D operative microscopy may lead to fine clinical efficacy one year after operation for patients with irreducible atlantoaxial dislocation.

Structures related to atlanto-axial rotation instability in children: an MRI study / 中华创伤骨科杂志

Objective To observe the MRI imaging manifestations of the ligaments and soft tissues around the atlanto-axial joint in children with atlanto-axial rotation instability.Methods Assigned into observation group were 50 children with atlantoaxial rotatory displacement who had been treated in our hospital from January 2013 to March 2014.Another 50 healthy children were chosen as a control group who underwent health check-ups during the same period in our hospital.Both groups received MRI examinations of the ligaments and soft tissues around the atlantoaxial joint using the same equipment and methods.MRI manifestations and characteristics of the ligaments and soft tissues around the atlantoaxial joint were analyzed and compared between the 2 groups.Results In the observation group,odontoid gap asymmetry appeared on both sides,with left shift in 32 cases and right shift in 18 cases.The MRI imaging PDWI sequence showed a significant better diagnostic sensitivity than the other sequences (T1WI,T2WI and SPAIR) (P ＜ 0.05).The MRI examinations on all the children with different sequences found 50 cases of degree Ⅰ lesion in the observation group and 4 cases of degree Ⅰ lesion in the control group,and 12 cases of degree Ⅱ lesion in the observation group and none degree Ⅱ lesion in the control group,showing a significant difference between the 2 groups regarding the diagnostic sensitivity of lesions of degrees Ⅰ and Ⅱ (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions MRI can clearly show the rotation displacement of atlanto-axial joint associated with transverse ligament,alar ligament and lesions of the surrounding soft tissues.MRI has a dcfinite diagnostic value for atlanto-axial rotation displacements in children,especially those caused by transverse ligament tear after trauma.

Irreducible Atlanto-Axial Dislocation in Neglected Odontoid Fracture Treated with Single Stage Anterior Release and Posterior Instrumented Fusion

It is a well-know fact that type 2 odontoid fractures frequently go into nonunion. If left untreated, patients may develop irreducible atlantoaxial dislocation (AAD). We describe the surgical management of two patients with neglected odontoid fractures and irreducible AAD treated with single stage anterior release followed by posterior instrumented fusion. Both patients presented with history of neglected trauma and progressive myelopathy. Traction under anesthesia failed to achieve reduction of AAD. Anterior release was done by trans-oral approach in one patient and retrophayngeal approach in the other. Posterior fixation was performed with transarticular screws in both the patients. Both patients had full neurological recovery and demonstrated fusion at follow-up. Anterior release followed by posterior instrumented correction may be an effective alternative to the traditional means of treating irreducible dislocations associated with neglected odontoid fractures.

Clinical Presentation of Cervical Myelopathy at C1-2 Level

STUDY DESIGN: Single-center retrospective study. PURPOSE: To clarify the clinical features of cervical myelopathy at the C1-2 level. OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE: Methods for distinguishing the affected level based on myelomere symptoms or dysfunction of the conducting pathway were established. However, no symptoms have been identified as being specific to the C1-2 level segment. METHODS: We evaluated 24 patients with cervical myelopathy due to spinal cord compression at the C1-2 level. Preoperative neurological assessment were investigated and compared with the rate and site of compression of the spinal cord using computed tomography-myelography. RESULTS: Impaired temperature and pain sensation were confirmed in 18 of the 24 patients with that localized to the upper arms (n=3), forearm (n=9), both (n=2), and whole body (n=4). Muscle weakness was observed in 18 patients, muscle weakness extended from the biceps brachii to the abductor digiti minimi in 10 patients, and in the whole body in 8 patients. Deep tendon reflexes were normal in 10 patients, whereas hyperactive deep tendon reflexes were noted in 14 patients. The rate of spinal cord compression was significantly higher in patients with perceptual dysfunction and muscle weakness compared with those with no dysfunction. However, no significant difference in the rate and site of compression was identified in those with dysfunction. CONCLUSIONS: Perceptual dysfunction and muscle weakness localized to the upper limbs was observed in 58% and 42% of patients, respectively. Neurological abnormalities, such as perceptual dysfunction and muscle weakness, were visualized in patients with marked compression.

Traumatic atlantoaxial subluxation, posterior transfacet fixation: a case report / Subluxação atlantoaxial traumática, fixação transfacetária posterior: relato de caso / Subluxación atlanto-axoidea postraumática, fijación transfacetaria posterior: reporte de caso

Cervical spine injuries are often described as catastrophic events in neurological terms, with very low survival rate. Lesions to C3-C7 segment are the most common (about 80%) followed by segment C1-C2 (20%). The cervical spine injuries are of great importance, both by severity as the neurological implications. It is important to consider that among cervical traumas that do not present neurological damage at the time of the accident, 10% have deficits later, so all cervical trauma should be considered as potential spinal cord traumas, until the evolution of the case shows that definitively there is no spinal cord or nerve root damage. Cases have been reported with both atlantooccipital and atlantoaxial dislocations without neurological deficit, so these lesions went unnoticed in the emergency services. Some of the events to be considered at the time of the accident are suboccipital pain on axial skull pressure and spontaneous stiffness of the patient's neck. Dysphagia, pain on palpation of the anterior neck and a visible increase of prepharyngeal mass can also be observed, which is why it is important to keep the suspicion of craniocervical trauma in all patients who have these symptoms and carry out the relevant tests. This paper presents a case of post-traumatic atlantoaxial dislocation, which showed no neurological deficit at the time of the accident, but was later presented, as well as the surgical procedure carried out.

As lesões da coluna cervical são frequentemente descritas como eventos catastróficos em termos neurológicos, com sobrevida curta. As lesões do segmento C3-C7 são as mais comuns (cerca de 80%), seguidas pelo segmento C1-C2 (20%). As lesões da coluna cervical são de grande importância, tanto pela gravidade quanto pelas implicações neurológicas que acarretam. É importante considerar que dos traumas cervicais que não apresentam danos neurológicos no momento do acidente, 10% apresentam déficits mais tarde, motivo pelo qual todos os traumas cervicais devem ser considerados possíveis traumas raquimedulares, até que a evolução do caso demonstre que definitivamente não há lesão medular ou radicular. Foram relatados casos de luxações atlanto-occipitais e atlantoaxiais sem déficit neurológico, portanto, essas lesões passam despercebidas nos serviços de emergência. Algumas das manifestações a serem consideradas no momento do acidente são dor suboccipital à pressão axial do crânio e rigidez espontânea do pescoço do paciente. Também podem ser observados disfagia, dor à palpação da parte anterior do pescoço e aumento de volume pré-faríngeo visível, motivo pelo qual é importante manter a suspeita de traumatismo craniocervical em todos os pacientes que têm esses sintomas, e realizar os exames pertinentes. Neste artigo é apresentado um caso de luxação atlantoaxial pós-traumática, que não apresentou déficit neurológico no momento do acidente, que sobreveio posteriormente, assim como o tratamento cirúrgico realizado.

Las lesiones de la columna cervical se describen comúnmente como eventos neurológicamente catastróficos con una tasa de supervivencia muy baja. Las lesiones del segmento C3-C7 son las más frecuentes (alrededor del 80%) seguidas por el segmento C1-C2 (20%). Las lesiones de la columna cervical son de gran importancia, tanto por su gravedad así como por las implicaciones neurológicas que conllevan. Es importante tener en cuenta que de los traumatismos cervicales que no presentan daño neurológico en el momento inmediato del accidente, un 10% lo presentaran con posterioridad, por lo que todos los traumatismos cervicales se deben considerar como potenciales traumas raquimedulares, hasta que la evolución a posterior demuestre que no hay daño medular o radicular en forma definitiva. Se ha reportado casos con presentación sin déficit neurológico tanto en dislocaciones atlanto-occipitales como atlanto-axoideas, por lo que estas lesiones pasan desapercibidas en el servicio de urgencias. Algunas de sus manifestaciones a tener en consideración en el momento del accidente son, dolor suboccipital a la presión axial del cráneo y cuello rígido espontáneo del paciente. También puede presentarse disfagia, dolor a la palpación de la parte anterior del cuello y aumento de volumen prefaringeo visible, por lo que es importante mantener la sospecha ante todo paciente con trauma cráneo cervical quien presenta estos síntomas y realizar los exámenes pertinentes. En este artículo se presenta un caso de luxación atlanto-axoidea postraumática que no presentaba déficit neurológico en el momento del accidente pero posteriormente se desarrollo, así como el manejo quirúrgico realizado.

Atlas lateral mass screws combined with posterior Epistropheus pedicle screws for treatment of atlantoaxial joint instability / 局解手术学杂志

Objective To discuss the clinical effect and the notes of atlas lateral mass screws combined with posterior epistropheus ped-icle screws for the treatment of atlantoaxial joint instability. Methods In our hospital from January 2006 to January 2011,48 cases of atlan-toaxial joint instability accepted operation of the atlas lateral mass screws combined with epistropheus pedicle screws were analyzed. Results All patients with follow-up time 12~24 months,an average of 17 months,were achieved primary healing and atlanto-axial intervertebral osse-ous healing. Besides postoperative neck pillow area pain improved and nerve function get a degree of recovery,there was no inner fixed damage cases. Complications of operation include venous plexus hemorrhage was in 2 cases,cervical occipital pain and numbness increase in 3 cases,cere-brospinal fluid leak in 2 cases,vertebral artery extrusion occlusion after cerebral ischemic symptoms in 1 case. Conclusion Combination of atlas lateral mass screws and posterior epistropheus pedicle screws technique is one of the effective means of treatment of atlantoaxial joint instabili-ty and can obtain satisfactory clinical effect. Standard operation performance is the key to reduce or even eliminate surgical complications.

Clinical observation on the treatment of cervical vertigo due to atlantoaxial joint disorder with manipulation / 国际中医中药杂志

Objective To study the clinical effect of manipulation in the treatment of cervical vertigo due to atlantoaxial joint disorder. Methods A total of 86 patients in our hospital from year of July, 2010 to 2014, with cervical vertigo due to atlantoaxial joint disorder were divided into a control group and a treatment group randomly, with 43 patients in each group. The control group was treated by intravenous dripping of betahistine hydrochloride sodium chloride injection, while the treatment group was additionally treated by manipulation on the basis of the control group. The efficacy and symptoms changes together with average blood flow rate of LVA, RVA, BA, and the value of ADI, VBLADI, and DO were compared between the two groups after one week of the treatment. Results After the treatment, the improvement of vertigo and symptoms of the treatment group was between than the control group(t=12.655, P<0.05); the value of ADI and VBLADI decreased lower in the treatment group than the control group (t were 2.888 and 5.334 respectively, P<0.05);Vm of RVA, LVA and BA increased higher in the treatment group than the control group (t were 4.710, 3.534 and 5.335 respectively, P<0.01). Conclusions Manipulation combined with intravenous dripping of betahistine hydrochloride sodium chloride injection is effective in improving vertigo, decreasing ADI and VBLADI, and correcting atlantoaxial joint disorder.

Grisel Syndrome: Pathophysiological Evidence from Magnetic Resonance Imaging Findings

Grisel syndrome is a condition of uncertain etiology characterized by a non-traumatic atlantoaxial subluxation following an infection in the head and neck region. Although first described in 1830, the exact pathophysiology of Grisel syndrome remains unclear. We present a case of atlantoaxial subluxation after acute lymphadenitis diagnosed with a dynamic computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). A previously healthy 9-year-old male patient presented with torticollis of sudden onset. Dynamic CT and MR imaging showed rotary atlantoaxial subluxation and inflammation surrounding the cervical spinal ligaments. A follow-up MRI of the cervical spine, taken 3 weeks after the onset of symptoms, showed a complete resolution of subluxation and inflammation surrounding the cervical spinal ligaments. In this case report, we support the hypothesis that an inflammation-induced laxity of the cervical ligaments is the pathologic key to Grisel syndrome using radiologic findings.

Traumatic atlantoaxial rotatory subluxation in adults: report of two cases and literature review / Subluxación atlantoaxial rotatoria traumática en adultos: reporte de dos casos y revisión de la literatura

Atlantoaxial subluxation is defined as an instability of the atlas (C1) over the axis (C2), due to failure or rupture of the ligament complex in the C1-C2 joint. It occurs most frequently in childhood, due to atlantoaxial ligament laxity, a common condition at this age group and may have traumatic or nontraumatic causes. The clinical features of this entity are the presence of upper cervical pain, limitation of neck mobility, torticollis and muscle spasm. The treatment of rotatory subluxation should be individualized because there is no evidence in the literature showing the superiority of a particular therapeutic proposal. In this study we describe two cases of atlantoaxial subluxation of traumatic origin in adults and review the literature regarding the main aspects of this entity.

Subluxación atlantoaxial se define a una inestabilidad del atlas (C1) sobre el axis (C2), debido a un fallo o rotura del complejo del ligamento de la articulación C1-C2. Es más frecuente en la infancia, debido a la laxitud del ligamento atlantoaxial, una condición común en este grupo de edad y puede tener causas traumáticas o no traumáticas. Las características clínicas de esta entidad son la presencia de dolor cervical superior, limitación de la movilidad del cuello, tortícolis y los espasmos musculares. El tratamiento de la subluxación rotatoria debe ser individualizado en porque no hay una evidencia en la literatura que muestra la superioridad de una propuesta terapéutica en particular. En este estudio se describen dos casos de subluxación atlantoaxial de origen traumático en adultos y se hace una revisión de la literatura respecto a los principales aspectos de esta entidad.

Role of the O-arm and Computer-assisted Navigation of Safe Screw Fixation in Children with Traumatic Rotatory Atlantoaxial Subluxation

STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective analysis of 7 patients with traumatic rotatory atlanto-axial subluxation. OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE: Cases of traumatic rotatory atlantoaxial subluxation in children are difficult to be stabilized. Surgical challenges include: narrow pedicles, medial vertebral arteries, vertebral artery anomalies, fractured pedicles or lateral masses, and fixed subluxation. The use of O-arm and computer-assisted navigation are still tested as aiding tools in such operative modalities. PURPOSE: Report of clinical series for evaluation of the safety of use of the O-arm and computed assisted-navigation in screw fixation in children with traumatic rotatory atlantoaxial subluxation. METHODS: In the present study, 7 cases of rotatory atlantoaxial traumatic subluxation were operated between December 2009 and March 2011. All patient-cases had undergone open reduction and instrumentation using atlas lateral mass and axis pedicle screws with intraoperative O-arm with computer-assisted navigation. RESULTS: All hardware was safely placed in the planned trajectories in all the 7 cases. Intraoperative O-arm and computer assisted-navigation were useful in securing neural and vascular tissues safety with tough-bony purchases of the hardware from the first and only trial of application with sufficient reduction of the subluxation. CONCLUSIONS: Successful surgery is possible with using the intraoperative O-arm and computer-assisted navigation in safe and proper placement of difficult atlas lateral mass and axis pedicle screws for rotatory atlantoaxial subluxation in children.