Zeitschrift für Wirbelsäule

Traumatic Occipital-Cervical Dislocation in Children and Adolescents: Two Years Follow-up Case Report and Review of the Literature

Abstract

Pawel Grabala

Background: Traumatic occipital-cervical dislocation (OCD) in children and adolescents is a rare and serious injury, which generally leads to death. For those who survive, there are usually severe and permanent neurological deficits.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to present the case of a 13-year-old boy with OCD, the treatment and results at two years follow-up.

Study design/setting: The study design includes a case report and review of the literature.

Methods: We present a case of OCD survivor, two years of follow-up care, and review of the literature regarding OCD.

Results: A 13-year-old boy was injured in a car accident in 2013. He was admitted to the emergency department with OCD and multiple trauma. After vital signs were stabilized, occipital-cervical spinal fusion was performed. He was discharged home four months after the injury in good general condition, with neurological deficits resulting from the head and spinal cord damage.

Conclusions: OCD in children and adolescents is quite rare and usually fatal. In spite of appropriate treatment (occipital-cervical fusion), the prognosis remains uncertain and at times poor due to irreversible neurological damage. Only a correct prompt diagnosis, along with immediate treatment initiation leads to survival.