Summary
Atlanto-axial subluxation, which was causing symptoms in eight patients with Down's syndrome, was treated by operation. In every case various congenital bony anomalies were found. Marked myelopathy was present in four cases of ossiculum terminale, and mild myelopathy in one with anteroposterior spondyloschisis. Successful posterior arthrodesis was performed from C1 to C2 in six cases, and from the occiput to C2 in the other two patients with anteroposterior spondyloschisis. Excellent bony union and an overall improvement in symptoms was achieved. The follow-up period was from one year to five years and six months. Early surgical stabilization is the treatment of choice in those cases of symptomatic atlanto-axial subluxation in Down's syndrome where there are congenital osseous anomalies and generalised ligamentous laxity, and where the spinal cord is at risk.
Résumé
Huit patients (âge moyen : 10.1 ans) présentant une subluxation atloido-axoidienne avec symptômes neurologiques, relativement rare dans le syndrome de Down, ont été traités chirurgicalement. Dans tous les cas existaient diverses anomalies osseuses congénitales. Une importante myélopathie a été notée dans quatre cas avec ossiculum terminale, et une légère myélopathie dans un cas de spondyloschisis antéro-postérieur. Une arthrodèse postérieure réussie de C1 à C2 a été effectuée dans six cas, et de l'occiput à C2 dans les deux cas de spondyloschisis antéro-postérieur. Une excellente fusion osseuse et une amélioration de l'ensemble des symptômes ont été obtenues, avec un recul d'un an à cinq ans et six mois (en moyenne : trois ans et un mois après l'opération). La stabilisation chirurgicale précoce constitue le traitement de choix dans les cas de subluxation atloïdo-axoïdienne symptomatique, au cours du syndrome de Down, où il existe des anomalies osseuses congénitales, une laxité ligamentaire généralisée et où la moelle épinière elle-même est en danger.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Aung MH (1973) Atlanto-axial dislocation in Down's syndrome. Bull Los Angeles Neurol Soc 38: 197–201
Burke SW, Roberts JM, Johnston II CE, Whitecloud III TS, Edmunds OE Jr (1985) Chronic atlanto-axial instability in Down syndrome. J Bone Joint Surg [Am] 67: 1456–1460
Curtis BH, Blanks S, Fisher RL (1968) Atlanto-axial dislocation in patients in Down's syndrome. JAMA 205: 464
Diamond LS, Dennis L, Bernis S (1981) Orthopedic disorders in patients with Down's syndrome. Orthop Clin North Am 12: 57–71
Dzenitis AJ (1966) Spontaneous atlanto-axial dislocation in a mongoloid child with spinal cord compression. J Neurosurg 25: 458
Finerman GAM, Dennis S, Seth W (1976) Atlanto-axial dislocation with spinal cord compression in a mongoloid child. A case report. J Bone Joint Surg [Am] 58: 408–409
Giblin PE, Micheli LJ (1979) The management of atlanto-axial subluxation with neurologic involvement in Down's syndrome. Clin Orthop 140: 66–71
Hreidarsson S, Gary M, Harvey S (1982) Symptomatic atlantoaxial dislocation in Down syndrome. Pediatrics 69: 568–571
Martel W, Tishler JM (1966) Observation of the spine in mongoloidism. Am J Roentgenol 97: 630–638
Nordt JC, Stauffer ES (1981) Sequelae of atlanto-axial stabilization in two patients with Down syndrome. Spine 6: 437–440
Semine AA, Ertel AN, Goldberg MJ, Bull MJ (1978) Cervical spine instability in children with Down syndrome (Trisomy 21). J Bone Joint Surg [Am] 60: 649–652
Sherk HH, Nicholson JT (1969) Rotatory atlanto-axial dislocation associated with ossiculum terminale and mongolism. A case report. J Bone Joint Surg [Am] 51: 957–964
Shikata J, Mikawa Y, Ikeda T, Yamamuro T (1985) Atlanto-axial subluxation with spondyloschisis in Down syndrome. A case report. J Bone Joint Surg [Am] 67: 1414–1417
Tishler JM, Martel W (1965) Dislocation of the atlas in mongolism. Radiology 84: 904–906
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Shikata, J., Yamamuro, T., Mikawa, Y. et al. Atlanto-axial subluxation in down's syndrome. International Orthopaedics 13, 187–192 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00268046
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00268046