2. Case
64M, s/p fall down stairs while intoxicated 3
days ago. No LOC. P/w persistent neck pain &
right shoulder pain.
PMH: EtOH abuse
Neuro: AA&Ox3, FC, MAE 5/5, SILT
9. Pathology
Usually traumatic (adults) or infection/inflammation (Grisel’s Syndrome)
Mechanism: forced rotation with an element of lateral tilt
C1-2 facet is more horizontal than other levels
Other reports of rotatory deformities caused by:
− Ankylosing spondylitis
− Rheumatoid arthritis
− Metastatic tumors, eosinophilic granulomas
− Down Syndrome (25% patients)
− After sub occipital craniectomy and C1-3 laminectomy
− Klippel feil syndrome (congenital failure of segmentation of
cervical spine- short neck , low hairline and decreased motion)
− Os odonteum
10. Presentation
“Cock-Robin” position: Head is rotated toward the anteriorly displaced
C1-2 joint and tilted away from the involved side
C2 joint spinous process may be prominent and deviated to the side to
which the chin is pointed
- Result of lateral tilt of the head or possibly counter rotation of C2
11. Stability of AA joint
Alar ligaments
- prevents excessive rotation
- attaches to sides of dens and inserts at
base of the occiput
Transverse ligament – most important
- prevents excessive anterior shift
- attaches to anterior arch of C1 bilaterally
via tubercles
- confines the odontoid process within the
articular notch on the anterior arch of C1
- Allows 47 degrees rotation
- Non-elastic; fails suddenly with rapid
force
- Rupture centrally or laterally at insertion
site on tubercles
12. Steele's Rule of Thirds
Canal of the atlas is about 3 cm in AP diameter
Spinal cord, odontoid and the free space are each approximately 1
cm in diameter
Anterior displacement of the atlas > 1 cm may jeopardize the
adjacent segment of the spinal cord
13. Atlantodental Interval (ADI)
•
Atlantoaxial joint may be incompetent when the TL is disrupted
- Widened ADI seen on lateral plain films or CT scan
- ADI >5mm – failure of alar ligaments
- Normal ADI is <3mm in males and < 2.5mm in females
- Normal ADI is pediatrics is <4 mm (kids < 15 yo)
15. Imaging: plain film/waters view
Asymmetry between dens & lateral
mass C1
Lateral mass that appears wider and
closer to midline is rotated anteriorly
C1-2 joint spaces are asymmetrical
17. Rotation on CT scan
Able to visualizing rotation and associated fractures
Dynamic CT scans are not advocated
- Risk of inducing neurological injury secondary to instability
Standard measurement technique for rotational angle
18. MRI – Ligament Integrity
Shape of the transverse ligament is convex toward the dura
Tears: loss of anatomical continuity with regions of high signal
Translational AA subluxation and alar ligament disruption
24. Gallie Fusion
•
Limitation: single, midline point of fixation - susceptible to rotational forces
•
Concern exists when more than one spinal segment is spanned using
sublaminar wires
•
increased risk of encroachment on neural elements
25. Brooks-Jenkins Fusion
• Overcomes rotational deficiencies of Gallie fusion w/ bilateral,
interlaminar bone grafts
• Limitation: requiring multisegment sublaminar wires; also requires
postop orthosis (Halo)
26. Locksley Intersegmental tie-bar technique
•
grafts are secured with sublaminar wires
•
addition of a posterior stabilization plate,
secured by wires to spinous processes
•
Three-point fixation with immediate rigidity
and resistance to all axes of movement.
•
The rib, by its natural contour, is an ideal
graft selection. An iliac autograft can also
be used.
27. Transarticular Screws
• Increased rotational stability
• Not require stable posterior arch
• High fusion rate; immediate stabilization
• Risk of injury to vertebral arteries
29. C1-2 Rod Cantilever
• C1 lateral mass &
C2 pedicle screws
C2 Laminar Screws
• C1 lateral mass & C2 laminar screws
• Avoid VA injury
• Requires intact posterior elements
• Outcomes equal to Magerl’s & C2 pedicle screws
• Higher rate of revision when used in subaxial constructs
30. References
The Evolution of Posterior Cervical and Occipitocervical Fusion: Atlantoaxial Fusion, John
R. Vender, MD, Andy J. Rekito, MS, Steven J. Harrison, MS, and Dennis E. Mcdonnell, MD,
Department of Neurosurgery and Medical Illustration Graduate Program, Medical College
of Georgia; and Department of Neurosurgery, Gunderson-Lutheran Clinic, La Crosse,
Wisconsin
Handboook of Neurosurgery: Greenberg
Youmans
Post-Traumatic Atlantoaxial Rotatory Fixation in an Adult: A Case Report; Yeon-Seong et al,
Spine Vol 32, Number 23, ppE682-687, 2007