Related Experiment Videos
Atlantoaxial instability and retroodontoid mass--two case reports
Atul Goel1, Umesh Phalke, Francesco Cacciola
1Department of Neurosurgery, King Edward VII Memorial Hospital and Seth G.S. Medical College, Parel, Mumbai, India. atulgoel62@hotmail.com
Neurologia Medico-Chirurgica
|February 3, 2005
Summary
Elderly patients with head trauma developed progressive quadriparesis due to atlantoaxial instability. Surgical fixation of the atlantoaxial joint led to significant neurological recovery, suggesting ligamentous hypertrophy is secondary to instability.
Area of Science:
- Neurosurgery
- Orthopedics
- Spinal Cord Injury
Background:
- Atlantoaxial instability can lead to severe neurological deficits.
- Retroodontoid ligamentous hypertrophy is a potential complication of spinal instability.
Observation:
- Two elderly male patients presented with progressive quadriparesis and neck pain.
- Both patients had a history of moderate head trauma.
- Investigations revealed retroodontoid ligamentous hypertrophy and subtle mobile atlantoaxial dislocation.
Findings:
- Surgical atlantoaxial fixation was performed in both patients.
- Both patients experienced remarkable and sustained neurological improvement post-surgery.
Implications:
- These cases suggest retroodontoid ligamentous hypertrophy may be a secondary consequence of atlantoaxial instability.
- This highlights the importance of considering atlantoaxial instability in patients with relevant trauma and neurological symptoms.
- Surgical intervention can effectively reverse neurological deficits caused by this condition.