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Traumatic dislocation of the atlanto-occipital joint

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Natal, Private Bag 7, Congella, 4013 Durban, South Africa.

G. J. Vlok, MMed Orth, Professor and Head of Department

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Tygerberg Hospital, University of Stel-lenbosch, PO. Box 19063, Tygerberg 7505, South Africa.

N. Fisher-Jeffes, FCS Neurosurgery, Private Practice

105 Panorama Medic-Clinic, Rothschild Boulevard, Panorama, Cape 7500, South Africa.

C. P. Du Preez, MMed Orth, Orthopaedic Surgeon, Private Practice

PO Box 586, Trichardt, 2300, South Africa.

Correspondence should be sent to Professor S. Govender.

We present four patients who had sustained a traumatic dislocation of the atlanto-occipital joint. The diagnosis was initially missed in two patients. One patient, who was neurologically intact, was treated non-operatively. The remaining three recovered neurologically after an occipitocervical fusion. Early recognition of the injury, especially in multiply-injured patients with head injuries, and timely management may improve survival and neurological recovery.

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				A. J. Anderson, G. M. Towns, and N. Chiverton Traumatic occipitocervical disruption: a new technique for stabilisation: CASE REPORT AND LITERATURE REVIEW J Bone Joint Surg Br, November 1, 2006; 88-B(11): 1464 - 1468. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]