Skip to main content
Log in

Os odontoideum with bipartite atlas and segmental instability: a case report

European Spine Journal Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

We report on the case of a 15-year-old adolescent who presented with a transient paraplegia and hyposensibility of the upper extremities after sustaining a minor hyperflexion trauma to the cervical spine. Neuroimaging studies revealed atlantoaxial dislocation and ventral compression of the rostral spinal cord with increased cord signal at C1/C2 levels caused by an os odontoideum, as well as anterior and posterior arch defects of the atlas. The patient underwent closed reduction and posterior atlantoaxial fusion. We describe the association of an acquired instability secondary to an os odontoideum with an anteroposterior spondyloschisis of the atlas and its functional result after 12 months. The rare coincidence of both lesions indicates a multiple malformation of the upper cervical spine and supports the theory of an embryologic genesis of os odontoideum.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5

References

  1. Atasoy C, Fitoz S, Karan B, Eden I, Akyar S (2002) A rare cause of cervical spinal stenosis: posterior arch hypoplasia in a bipartite atlas. Neuroradiology 44:253–255

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Childers JC, Wilson FC (2002) Bipartite atlas. J Bone Joint Surg 53A:578–582

    Google Scholar 

  3. Currarino G (2002) Segmentation defect in the midodontoid process and its possible relationship to the congenital type of os odontoideum. Pediatr Radiol 32:34–40

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Dai LY, Yuan W, Ni B, Jia L (2000) Os odontoideum: aetiology, diagnosis and management. Surg Neurol 53:106–108

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Fielding JW, Hensinger RN, Hawkins RJ (1980) Os odontoideum. J Bone Joint Surg 62A:376–383

    Google Scholar 

  6. Galindo MJ, Francis WR (1983) Atlantal fracture in a child through congenital anterior and posterior arch defects: a case report. Clin Orthop 140:220–222

    Google Scholar 

  7. Garg A, Gaikwad S, Gupta V, Mishra N, Kale S, Singh J (2004) Bipartite atlas with os odontoideum: case report. Spine 29(2):E35–E38

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Morgan MK, Onofrio BM, Bender CE (1989) Familial os odontoideum: case report. J Neurosurg 70:636–639

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. O’Rahilly R, Muller F, Meyer DB (1983) The human vertebral column at the end of the embryonic period: Part 2. The occipitocervical region. J Anat 136:181–195

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. VanGilder JC, Menezes AH, Dolan KD (1987) The craniovertebral junction and its abnormalities. Futura, Mount Kisco New York

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Michael Osti.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Osti, M., Philipp, H., Meusburger, B. et al. Os odontoideum with bipartite atlas and segmental instability: a case report. Eur Spine J 15 (Suppl 5), 564–567 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00586-005-0017-4

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00586-005-0017-4

Keywords

Navigation