Two patients with proatlas segmentation malformation

J Clin Neurosci. 2010 May;17(5):647-8. doi: 10.1016/j.jocn.2009.08.005. Epub 2010 Feb 25.

Abstract

A 58-year-old female and an 18-year-old male patient had progressive spastic quadriparesis of 10 years and 6 months duration, respectively. Proatlas segmentation malformation (PSM) was confirmed using three-dimensional (3D) reconstructive CT scans and MRI. Surgical procedures in one patient involved anterior decompression via a transoropharyngeal approach, cranial traction, and posterior occipital-cervical fixation and fusion. His postoperative neurological status had improved remarkably, with imaging showing good realignment of the occipito-atlanto-axial complex with comfortable decompression of the cervico-medulla junction and relief of syringomyelia. MRI and 3D-CT scans are the definitive diagnostic tools for PSM, and appropriate aggressive surgical intervention should be undertaken.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Atlanto-Axial Joint / abnormalities*
  • Atlanto-Axial Joint / surgery
  • Atlanto-Occipital Joint / abnormalities*
  • Atlanto-Occipital Joint / surgery
  • Cervical Atlas / abnormalities*
  • Cervical Atlas / surgery
  • Decompression, Surgical
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Odontoid Process / abnormalities*
  • Odontoid Process / surgery
  • Quadriplegia / etiology
  • Quadriplegia / surgery*
  • Spinal Fusion
  • Syringomyelia / etiology
  • Syringomyelia / surgery
  • Treatment Outcome