[A rarely recognized metastatic localization. Secondary involvement of the occipito-cervical joint]

280 patients presenting osteophilic tumors were evaluated by conventional tomography of the cervical spine. Metastasis were found in 120 cases among which 70% had no symptoms. Axis was first concerned and sometimes lesions could not be detected on plain radiographs. Authors insist on the need of a systematic cervical spine tomographic study in patients with osteophilic tumors.