Abstract
One hundred fifty-eight patients with Down syndrome underwent roentgenologic examinations of the cervical spine in neutral position, in hyperflexion, and in hyperextension. Fifteen children with Down syndrome were found to have a distance between the joint surfaces of 5 mm and more. The majority of these children were asymptomatic, one child displayed hyperactive deep tendon reflexes and two children were symptomatic and underwent surgery.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Tishler JM, Martel W (1965) Dislocation of the atlas in mongolism; Preliminary report. Radiology 84: 904
Dzenitis AJ (1966) Spontaneous atlanto-axial dislocation in a mongoloid with spinal cord compression: Case report. J Neurosurg 25: 458
Curtis BH, Blank S, Fisher RL (1968) Atlanto-axial dislocation in Down's syndrome: report of two patients requiring surgical correction. JAMA 205: 212
Sherk HH, Nicholson JT (1969) Rotatory atlanto-axial dislocation associated with ossiculum terminale and mongolism. J Bone Joint Surg [Am] 51: 957
Martel W, Uyham R, Stimson CW (1969) Subluxation of the atlas causing spinal cord compression in a case of Down's syndrome with a “Manifestation of an occipital vertebra”. Radiology 93: 839
Gerard Y, Segal P, Bedoucha JS (1971) L'instabilité de l'atlas sur l'axis dans le mongolisme. Presse Med 13: 573
Aung MH (1973) Atlanto-axial dislocation in Down's syndrome: Report of a case with spinal cord compression and review of the literature. Bull Los Angeles Neurol Soc 38: 197
Thalmann H, Sholl H, Tonz O (1972) Spontane Atlas-Dislokation bei einem Kind mit Trisomie 21 und rheumatoider Arthritis. Helv Paediatr Acta 27: 391
Beltran P (1970) La dislocation atlanto-axoidienne. Sandoz, Mexiko
Finerman GAM, Sakai D, Weingarten S (1976) Atlanto-axial dislocation with spinal cord compression in a mongoloid child: A case report. J Bone Joint Surg [Am] 58: 408
Spitzer R, Rabinowith JY, Wybar KC (1961) A study of the abnormalities of the skull, teeth, and lenses in mongolism. Can Med Assoc J 84: 567
Martel W, Tishler JM (1966) Observations on the spine in mongoloidism. AJR 97: 630
Pratt TLC (1959) Spontaneous dislocations of the atlanto-axial articulation occurring in ankylosing spondylitis and rheumatoid arthritis. J Fac Radiol 19: 40
Stevens JC, Cartlidge NEF, Saunders M, et al (1971) Atlanto-axial subluxation and cervical myelopathy in rheumatoid arthritis. Q J Med 40: 391
Kopits SE, Perovic MN, McKusick V, Robinson RA, Bailey JA III (1972) Congenital atlanto-axial dislocations in various forms of dwarfism. J Bone Joint Surg [Am] 54: 1349
Alexander E Jr, et al (1958) Dislocation of the atlas on the axis: The value of early fusion of C1, C2, and C3. J Neurosurg 14: 353
Watts H (Personal communication)
Locke GR, Gardner JI, Van Epps EF (1966) Atlas-dens interval (ADI) in children: A survey based on 200 normal cervical spines. AJR 97: 135
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Pueschel, S.M., Scola, F.H., Perry, C.D. et al. Atlanto-axial instability in children with Down syndrome. Pediatr Radiol 10, 129–132 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00975185
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00975185