Abstract
Os odontoideum is a small oval or round shaped bone fragment observed as the most common congenital anomaly of the odontoid process. Since it causes a slowly increasing mobility or instability in the atlanto-axial joint, sudden death, tetraplegia, chronic neck pain, headache, torticollis and myelopathy may develop. The spinal canal widens initially at the craniocervical junction and symptoms can occur at a very late stage. In this case, clinical complaints emerged after the age of 35. There was no other neurological finding and no history of recent trauma in this case presenting with severe neck pain. This case report shows how ligaments, the supporting connective tissue elements, can be thickened to maintain stability when the stability of the cervical spine is impaired. Since it may cause sudden death even when asymptomatic, it is important to recognize this pathology and to distinguish os odontoideum from odontoid fractures in trauma patients.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
