Modified posterior occipital fusion for treatment of atlantooccipital and atlantoaxial dislocation in children and adolescents / 中华神经医学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To study the clinical efficacy of modified posterior occipital fusion in atlantooccipital and atlantoaxial dislocation in children and adolescents. Methods The clinical data of 11 children or adolescents with atlantooccipital and atlantoaxial dislocation, admitted to and accepted modified posterior occipital fusion in our hospital from November 2013 to March 2018, were retrospectively analyzed. Before and after the surgery, Japanese orthopedic association (JOA) scale was used to evaluate the cervical vertebral function of the patients, the atlanto-dens interval (ADI) was measured by CT images to evaluate the dislocation and reduction of joints, and the medulla bulbar cervical medulla angle (CMA) of the patients was measured by MR imaging to evaluate the degrees of spinal cord compression. Results The clinical symptoms of 11 patients improved in different degrees. No postoperative complications occurred. JOA scale scores after operation were significantly higher than those before operation (15.0±1.0 vs. 12.2±1.6). Significantly decreased of ADI and significantly increased CMA after operation were noted as compared with those before operation (P<0.05). Conclusion Modified posterior occipital fusion is safe and effective for treatment of atlantooccipital and atlantoaxial dislocation in children and adolescents.