What causes atlanto-occipital dislocation?

What causes atlanto-occipital dislocation?

They are usually caused by high-energy trauma such as traffic accident or fall from a great height [3, 9]. Atlanto-occipital dislocation (AOD), because of its accompanying injuries to the brain stem and lesions to the vascular structures of the neck, is mostly a lethal injury [11, 32, 98].

What happens at the atlanto-occipital joint?

Being an ellipsoid joint, the atlantooccipital joint allows movement in two degrees of freedom. These are flexion-extension and lateral flexion. However the principal movement available at the atlantooccipital joint is that of flexion – extension.

What movement is related to the atlanto-occipital joint?

The movements permitted in this joint are: (a) flexion and extension around the mediolateral axis, which give rise to the ordinary forward and backward nodding of the head. (b) slight lateral motion, lateroflexion, to one or other side around the anteroposterior axis.

What is atlanto-occipital dissociation?

Introduction: Atlanto-occipital dissociation (AOD) is a rare and unstable injury of the craniocervical junction, associated with very high morbidity and mortality. The most common cause of this injury is high energy trauma with hyperextension of the cranium, such as car accidents.

Is atlanto-occipital dislocation common?

Abstract. Atlanto-occipital dislocation (AOD) is a devastating condition that frequently results in prehospital cardiorespiratory arrest and accounts for 15% of fatal spinal trauma. Atlanto-occipital dislocation occurs 5 times more commonly in children than adults, and is believed to be caused by hyperextension.

What is atlanto occipital instability?

Atlantoaxial instability (AAI) is characterized by excessive movement at the junction between the atlas (C1) and axis (C2) as a result of either a bony or a ligamentous abnormality. Neurologic symptoms can occur when the spinal cord or adjacent nerve roots are involved.

Is atlanto occipital dislocation common?

What muscles move Atlantoaxial joints?

The primary muscles that produce rotation in the atlantoaxial joint are the suboccipital muscles, mainly the ipsilateral obliquus capitis inferior, rectus capitis posterior major. The ipsilateral splenius capitis muscle and contralateral sternocleidomastoid muscle are also involved.

What movement does C1 allow and why?

The cervical vertebrae C1 is attached directly to the skull, which allows for any nodding lateral motions.

What happens when C1 and C2 are out of alignment?

Common Symptoms and Signs Stemming from C1-C2 Radiating pain up to the back and/or top of the head. Pain in the temple and/or behind the eyes and/or ears. Neck-tongue syndrome resulting in neck and/or head pain with numbness or abnormal sensation on one side of the tongue. Sensitivity to light.

How do I check my atlantoaxial instability?

The patient is asked to slowly flex the head performing a slight cervical nod, at the same time the examiner presses posteriorly on the patient’s forehead. A sliding motion of the head in relation to the axis indicates atlantoaxial instability.

  • September 28, 2022