Technical Note

Internal Reduction Established by Occiput-C₂ Pedicle Polyaxial Screw Stabilization in Pediatric Atlantoaxial Rotatory Fixation
Deniz Belen, Serkan Simsek, Kazim Yigitkanli, Murad Bavbek

Neurosurgery Department, Educational Hospital of Social Security Institution, Ankara, Turkey

Address of Corresponding Author

Pediatric Neurosurgery 2006;42:328-332 (DOI: 10.1159/000094073)

  Key Words

• Atlantoaxial subluxation
• Craniocervical instability
• Griesel's syndrome
• Pediatric cervical spine

  Abstract

Atlantoaxial rotatory fixation is an uncommon disorder of childhood, which can be treated conservatively whendiagnosed early. Although spontaneous correction occasionally occurs, most of the patients usually benefit from collar or traction therapies. If there is no intervention or if all external therapeutic modalities fail, the deformity may become chronic and irreducible. In such rare cases, surgical correction and stabilization are needed to prevent future head and neck deformity or facial asymmetry. In this report we describe a novel surgical technique used in a pediatric case presenting with delayed type 2 atlantoaxial rotatory fixation, in whom all external reduction methods had failed. The patient's deformity was treated by occiput-C₂ pedicle polyaxial screw stabilization. This technique is effective for reducing the atlantoaxial fixation in children.

Copyright © 2006 S. Karger AG, Basel

  Author Contacts

Deniz Belen, MD
60, Sokak 16-2
Emek 06510
Ankara (Turkey)
Tel. +90 312 223 6975, Fax +90 312 215 9178, E-Mail denizbelen2000@yahoo.com

  Article Information

D.B. and S.S. contributed equally to the work.

Received: May 9, 2005
Accepted after revision: November 9, 2005
Number of Print Pages : 5
Number of Figures : 3, Number of Tables : 0, Number of References : 26