Odontoid Fracture with Locked Posterolateral Atlantoaxial Dislocation

Abstract

Case: Odontoid fractures with atlantoaxial dislocations are rare injuries. We report a case of a 41-year-old man with a Type 2 odontoid fracture with locket facet and posterolateral dislocation. He underwent single-stage C1-C4 posterior fixation and fusion, and at 2-year follow-up, he is symptom-free without any residual pain. Follow-up radiograph and CT scan show healed odontoid fracture with posterior fusion. Conclusion: This case highlights successful management of a complex odontoid fracture by a single-stage posterior surgery. Closed reduction is usually unsuccessful, and open reduction using posterior approach is preferable.