Accident-induced late complaint of odontoid nonunion.

Abstract

A case of accident-induced late complaint of odontoid nonunion is reported. To report a rare case of accident-induced late complaint of odontoid nonunion and to discuss operative techniques of stabilization. The literature is reviewed. METHODS.: A 60-year-old man sustained a neck injury with incomplete transverse lesion after a traffic accident. A loosening of odontoid nonunion with displacement 40 years after primary trauma was noted. Surgical treatment of the odontoid nonunion was undertaken to perform anterior screw fixation and additional posterior C1-C2 arthrodesis according to Gallie or Brooks. The patient wore a cervical brace for 6 weeks and underwent physiotherapy. Neurologic deficit decreased after surgery. This is the first reported case of accident-induced loosening of odontoid nonunion. Anterior screw fixation and posterior C1-C2 arthrodesis achieved stable fixation.