[Open reduction and dorsal spondylodesis C0-C2 in atlanto-occipital dislocation]

We report the case of a 73-year-old male patient who was suffered trauma after a syncopal fall onto a railway track in the form of an atlanto-occipital dislocation. The diagnostic revealed a bilateral fracture of the occipital condyles coupled with a ventral atlanto-occipital dislocation (Jeanneret type 4) and also an odontoid fracture (Anderson type 2). The patient underwent dorsal spondylodesis of C0-C2 in combination with Magerl's C1-C2 screw fixation. Pre-operatively and postoperatively no neurological abnormalities were found. This rarely occurring and survived traumatological situation is described using the present case as an example.