Diagnosis and Treatment of Congenital Atlanto-axial Dislocations Zhou Dingbiao

Twenty-three cases of congenital atlanto-axial dislocation developed on the basis of craniocervical junction malformation were reported. The clinical manifestations were characterized by disturbance of motor function. The patients were treated by transoral decompression and/ or posterior decompression and fusion. 82.6% of them were benefited from the operations. The mechnism, diagnosis and the principles of treatment of congenital atlantoaxial dislocation were discussed. The authors pointed out that the reduction of congenital atlanto-axial dislocation by skull traction is usually difficult, the posterior decompression alone is seldom effective and even dangerous, and the rational treatment shoud be transoral removal of odontoid process with anterior or posterior fusion