Combined Chronic Occipito-atlantal and Atlanto-axial Rotator Fixation with Cerebral Palsy

Korean J Spine. 2013 Sep;10(3):192-4. doi: 10.14245/kjs.2013.10.3.192. Epub 2013 Sep 30.

Abstract

Occipito-atlantalrotatory subluxation that occurs in conjunction with atlanto-axial rotator fixation is extremely rare. The common clinical characteristics are painful torticollis and cock robin position presented with the head tilted to one side and rotated to the other side. The object of this report is to emphasize that AARF combined with OARF may be caused by a variety of conditions, to be must need algorithm for proper management, apparently. A torticollis patient who had cerebral palsy presented with severe nuchal pain and wryneck for a long period. The patient had a history of fallen down 16 years ago which caused severe nuchal pain. The conservative management had failed to correct the deformity and instability. we decided to operate using occiput-C1-C2 arthrodesis and C3-4-5 bilateral screw fixation for reinforcement. Now he doesn't have neurologic deficit and shows good outcome enough to sustain his head, not using his hands, in his daily life.

Keywords: Atlanto-axial fusion; Atlanto-axial joint; Atlanto-occipital joint; Cerebral palsy.