Traumatic Type III odontoid fracture and severe rotatory atlantoaxial subluxation in a 3-year-old child: case report

J Neurosurg Pediatr. 2010 Feb;5(2):200-3. doi: 10.3171/2009.9.PEDS09202.

Abstract

In this report, the authors describe the case of a 3-year-old child with a traumatic Type III odontoid fracture. To their knowledge, this is the first reported case of a true Type III odontoid fracture with atlantoaxial rotatory subluxation in a child. The patient presented with pain and had resisted manipulation of the neck following a motor vehicle crash. Plain cervical radiographs revealed an odontoid fracture, which was confirmed by CT imaging. The left lateral mass of C-1 was rotated anterior to that of C-2 with the displaced odontoid process acting as the pivot point of rotation. The C1-2 alignment was normalized, and the C-2 fracture was reduced completely. The regional anatomy and mechanism of injury, radiographic diagnosis, and management of cervical spine injuries in children are discussed.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Accidents, Traffic
  • Atlanto-Axial Joint / diagnostic imaging
  • Atlanto-Axial Joint / injuries*
  • Atlanto-Axial Joint / surgery*
  • Cervical Vertebrae / diagnostic imaging
  • Cervical Vertebrae / injuries
  • Child, Preschool
  • Female
  • Fractures, Bone / pathology
  • Fractures, Bone / surgery*
  • Humans
  • Immobilization
  • Neurosurgical Procedures
  • Odontoid Process / diagnostic imaging
  • Odontoid Process / injuries*
  • Odontoid Process / surgery*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed