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. 2013 Jan;22(1):65-71.
doi: 10.1007/s00586-012-2543-1. Epub 2012 Oct 18.

Incidence and outcome of atlanto-occipital dissociation at a level 1 trauma centre: a prospective study of five cases within 5 years

Franz Josef Mueller  1 , Bernd Kinner, Michael Rosskopf, Carsten Neumann, Michael Nerlich, Bernd Fuechtmeier
Affiliations

Incidence and outcome of atlanto-occipital dissociation at a level 1 trauma centre: a prospective study of five cases within 5 years

Franz Josef Mueller et al. Eur Spine J. 2013 Jan.

Abstract

Background: Prospective evaluation of atlanto-occipital dissociations (AODs) at a level 1 trauma centre within 5 years.

Methods: Over a period of 5 years (2005-2009), all CT scans of the skull base and the upper cervical spine due to traumatic injuries were prospectively entered into a database. Furthermore, in cases of confirmed AOD all empirical data were prospectively collected. A more detailed data analysis of all AOD patients was conducted 2 years post-trauma. If required, another prospective follow-up was performed.

Results: 2,616 CT scans were performed in total. Out of these, there were five male patients with confirmed AOD. Thus, the total incidence was 0.2 %. AOD was associated with occipital condyle fractures in three out of the five cases. Three out of five patients (60 %) died due to the severity of the injury. It was possible to stabilise two patients surgically with a clinical/radiological follow-up 2 years post-surgery. At that time, one patient had an incomplete tetraplegia and was wheelchair ridden without needing ventilation, while the other patient suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder, but was able to walk and live alone.

Conclusions: AOD is a rarely seen injury, even in a level 1 trauma centre, and is associated with high morbidity and mortality. However, it is possible for adults to survive this severe occipito-cervical injury after surgical repair while maintaining the ability to walk. All the results and recommendations are still based on a low level of evidence, due to the low incidence of this injury.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
a Sagittal CT image: Pat. #1, AOD with anterior dislocation. b Sagittal CT image: Pat. #1, AOD with BDI measurement of 11 mm. c Sagittal CT image: Pat. #1, 1 year after occipito-cervical internal fixator from C0 to C2/3. CT scan documented asymptomatic unilateral misplacement of pedicle screw into the vertebral artery foramen
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Sagittal CT image: Pat. #2, AOD with anterior dislocation; patient alive with tetraplegia
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Sagittal CT image: Pat. #3, patient died due to AOD on the 11th day post-trauma
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Sagittal CT image: Pat. #4, patient died due to AOD on the seventh day post-trauma
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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