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Os odontoideum complicating craniovertebral junction tuberculosis: a case report
Dhananjaya Sabat1, Sumit Arora, Vinod Kumar
1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Maulana Azad Medical College & Associated Lok Nayak Hospital, New Delhi, India.
This case report details the first known instance of craniovertebral junction tuberculosis with dystopic os odontoideum. Conservative treatment led to a full recovery, highlighting the importance of clinical suspicion for this rare condition.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Infectious Diseases
- Orthopedic Surgery
Background:
- Craniovertebral junction (CVJ) tuberculosis (TB) is rare, with evolving treatment strategies.
- Os odontoideum is an uncommon anomaly, and its complication with CVJ TB has not been previously reported.
Observation:
- A 17-year-old patient presented with fever, cervical pain, and quadriparesis.
- The patient had co-existing CVJ TB and dystopic os odontoideum.
Findings:
- Conservative management including antitubercular chemotherapy, cervical traction, and halo-vest immobilization was initiated.
- The patient achieved an uneventful recovery and remained asymptomatic at 36 months follow-up.
Implications:
- This case represents the first documented instance of CVJ TB with dystopic os odontoideum.
- Clinicians should maintain a high index of suspicion for accurate diagnosis and appropriate management of this rare condition.
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