Occipitocervical fusion for reduction of traumatic periodontoid hypertrophic cicatrix. Case report

Periodontoid hypertrophic cicatrix resulting from trauma, as demonstrated by magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, is essentially the same as that seen in rheumatoid arthritis. Recent reports suggest that, in rheumatoid arthritis, occipitocervical fusion without transoral decompression of the pannus is adequate for resolution of this anterior lesion. A case of traumatic periodontoid cicatrix is presented in which posterior fusion resulted in reduction of the anterior mass lesion, clearly demonstrated by MR imaging. The etiology of periodontoid hypertrophic scarring, both traumatic and rheumatoid, is discussed in light of MR findings, and treatment implications are considered.