[Odontoidectomy in the treatment of medically refractory, neurogenic hypertension]

The authors present a case of medically refractory, neurogenic hypertension where the MR examination revealed an odontoid compression of the anterior medulla as a consequence of a basilar impression. Following transoral odontoidectomy and craniocervical fixation, the blood pressure in the 24-year-old woman returned to normal, and 1 year postoperatively she remains normotensive and off all medication. This reported case provides further support to the theory that there is a subgroup of patients who may have a vascular compression of the medulla with no neurological symptoms other than hypertension.