ABSTRACT
Introduction: Although uncommon, fractures of the os odontoideum are known to occur in children under 7 years old, following acute trauma. Clinical Picture: We report a case of chronic subluxation of the os odontoideum resulting in cervical myelopathy in a child with Beare-Stevenson cutis gyrata syndrome after surgery to the head and neck. Treatment and Outcome: The patient was initially put in a Halo vest, following which occipital cervical fusion was performed. Conclusion: Subluxations and fractures at the odontoid synchondrosis are rare but should be anticipated in young children with risk factors for instability of the cervical spine.
Fractures of the odontoid typically involve the synchondrosis between the odontoid process and body of the axis in the paediatric age group. However, to our knowledge, a chronic subluxation of the os odontoideum resulting in cervical myelopathy has yet to be described in a child with the Beare-Stevenson cutis gyrata syndrome.
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