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Atlantoaxial dislocation and os odontoideum in two identical twins: perspectives on etiology

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Abstract

Purpose

There are two theories about the origin of os odontoideum: traumatic or congenital. However, most studies favor the hypothesis of traumatic theory. To emphasize the congenital theory, we report a pair of identical twins both with atlantoaxial dislocation and os odontoideum, which is believed to be a congenital defect.

Methods

We present two 14-year-old identical twins with atlantoaxial dislocation and os odontoideum. Neither of the twins had history of trauma in head nor cervical spine. We reviewed and compared the cervical radiographs of the identical twins. Posterior atlantoaxial reduction, pedicle screw fixation and atlantoaxial fusion were performed for the two twins.

Results

Radiological examination showed the identical twins had typical atlantoaxial dislocation and os odontoideum. The twins had high similarity in the appearance of atlantoaxial dislocation and os odontoideum. The etiology of the os odontoideum in the twins is believed to be congenital. Both the twins had improvement in neurological function after surgery.

Conclusion

Although a great number of cases with os odontoideum have been reported to be traumatic, there are some cases believed to be congenital.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Spinal Surgery, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, 100029, China

    Xiangsheng Tang, Mingsheng Tan, Ping Yi, Feng Yang & Qingying Hao

Authors
  1. Xiangsheng Tang
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  2. Mingsheng Tan
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  3. Ping Yi
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  4. Feng Yang
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  5. Qingying Hao
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Mingsheng Tan.

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No funds were received in support of this work. No benefits in any form have been or will be received from a commercial party related directly or indirectly to the subject of this manuscript.

Conflict of interest

None of the authors has any potential conflict of interest.

Ethical approval

The study protocol was approved by the local Medical Ethics Committee.

Informed consent

Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study.

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Tang, X., Tan, M., Yi, P. et al. Atlantoaxial dislocation and os odontoideum in two identical twins: perspectives on etiology. Eur Spine J 27 (Suppl 3), 259–263 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00586-017-5116-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00586-017-5116-5

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