A Case Report of Complete Dislocation of Atlantoaxial Joint due to a Traumatic and Pathological Axial Lesion

Background Atlantoaxial dislocation usually results in sudden death. The patient had never found any axial lesion before, and the atlantoaxial joint dislocation was caused by rotation of the neck due to discomfort of the neck. The patient was given surgical treatment after the rescue of respiratory and cardiac arrest during transportation, which was extremely rare and rarely reported.

Methods A 62-year-old male patient presented with limited cervical mobility after a violent rotation of the neck due to neck discomfort. X-ray and computed tomography (CT) scan suggested atlantoaxial dislocation. Sudden respiratory and cardiac arrest during transportation was immediately followed by continuous cranial traction and successful occipital and neck fusion operation.

Results After the successful rescue of endotracheal intubation, the patient was given continuous cranial traction. After the completion of CT scan, the patient was given occipital neck fusion, and 6 days after the surgery, the patient wore the skull-neck-thorax brace and walked freely.

Conclusion Continuous cranial traction and posterior occipitocervical fusion are effective methods for treating axial pathological fracture with atlantoaxial dislocation.

Level of Evidence 5.