INTRODUCTION Atlantoaxial instability is a common and serious injury of the upper cervical spine. Brooks' procedure is widely used to reconstruct the unstable atlantoaxial joint. The migration into spinal cord of titanium cable and spontaneous fusion between C2 and C3 has been little reported and the management of such a patient is difficult. We describe an unusual case of fatigue failure of po...

CASE SUMMARY A 10-year-old cat presented 5 days after a traumatic event with acute recumbency followed by some clinical improvement. The neuroanatomical localisation was the C1-C5 spinal cord segments. Initial survey radiographs, including lateral flexed views, showed no convincing abnormalities. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a marked focal intramedullary lesion at the level of the ...

Objectives Ventral atlantoaxial stabilization techniques are challenging surgical procedures in dogs. Available surgical guidelines are based upon subjective anatomical landmarks, and limited radiographic and computed tomographic data. The aims of this study were (1) to provide detailed anatomical descriptions of atlantoaxial optimal safe implantation corridors to generate objective recommendat...

We present a case of atlantoaxial rotary subluxation after a minor injury managed by manual reduction under sedation. Atlantoaxial rotary subluxation should be considered in a child with inability or unwillingness to turn their head when history and physical examination do not suggest torticollis of benign etiology. In our discussion, we review etiology, diagnosis, as well as pre- and in-hospit...

BACKGROUND Upper cervical spine instability is one of the most critical orthopedic problems in patients with Down syndrome. However, arthrodesis of the upper cervical spine in these patients can be very difficult to achieve and has a high complication rate because of mental retardation and accompanying various medical conditions of the vital organs. Even now, surgeries in such patients, especia...

AIM To analyze retrospectively the surgical management of reducible atlantoaxial dislocation (AAD), basilar invagination (BI) and Chiari malformation (CHM) with syringomyelia through a single-stage posterior approach. MATERIAL AND METHODS Forty-three patients with reducible AAD, BI and CHM with syringomyelia underwent surgery from January 2009 to January 2013. Intraoperative restoration follo...

BACKGROUND Cranieovertebral junction lesions in the paediatric population are associated with a low survival rate, which has declined in recent years. Neurological disability is a major concern due to the high economical cost it represents. Paediatric patients are more susceptible to this lesion because of hyperextension capacity, flat articulation, and increased ligamentous laxity. Survival af...