Crowned dens syndrome: a rare cause of acute neck pain.

Crowned dens syndrome (CDS) is a rare but underrecognized cause of severe neck pain in older adults. It is characterized by acute onset pain and stiffness of the cervical spine. Accompanying fever and elevated inflammatory markers often lead to misdiagnosis. It is frequently associated with calcium pyrophosphate deposition disease, hydroxyapatite crystals, and sometimes other inflammatory conditions. Periodontoid calcification is seen on cervical computed tomography (CT) scan but is not typically visible on plain radiographs, making CT scanning invaluable in diagnosis. We describe a case of CDS in a 59-year-old woman, who presented with severe neck pain, elevated inflammatory markers, and progressive evolution in the appearance of her CT scans. The pathophysiology, clinical and radiographic findings, and dramatic response to corticosteroid therapy are reviewed.

Subluxación atloaxoidea. “Os odontoideum”. Reducción y fijación posterior con alambres sublaminares en Cl anclados en tornillos pediculares de C2. Caso clínico / Atlanto axial dislocaton associated with os odontoideum. Reduction and fixation with sublaminar wires in CI and pedicle servew in C2. Case report

Se presenta un caso de subluxación atlo-axoidea asociada a “os odontoideum”, en un varón de 18 años con un antecedente traumático a los 2 años de edad, que padece una mielopatía crónica progresiva al borde de la supervivencia. Para la reducción y fijación de la luxación se han utilizado alambres sublaminares en Cl anclados a tornillos fijados en los pedículos de C2. Se comenta la técnica, no conociendo ningún precedente de la misma (AU)

This report describes a case of atlanto-axial disloca¬tion associated with os odontoideum. This 18-year-old male had a traumatic episode when he was 2 years old. As a result he suffered progressive chronic myelopathy on the verge of death. For the reduction and fixation of the atlanto-axial dislocation, sublaminar wires have been used anchored to Cl and to screws placed in the pedicles of C2. The authors present a surgical technique that has not been previously described (AU)

Calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate crystal deposition in and around the atlantoaxial joint: association with type 2 odontoid fractures in nine patients.

PURPOSE: To investigate the histopathologic anatomy of calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate (CPPD) crystal deposition in and around the atlantoaxial joint and the association between CPPD crystal deposition and subchondral cysts, erosions, and fracture involving the odontoid process of the axis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One adult cadaver demonstrating calcification in the retro-odontoid area at computed tomography (CT) was selected for further radiography, CT, and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging at the C1-2 level. Anatomic sectioning and histologic evaluations were performed in the specimen. For clinical study, radiographs (n = 5), CT scans (n = 8), and MR images (n = 6) in nine patients (mean age, 74.4 years) with odontoid process fractures and CPPD crystal deposits in and around the atlantoaxial joint were reviewed. RESULTS: In the cadaveric specimen, radiography and CT demonstrated calcifications in the transverse ligament; histologic evaluation confirmed that these calcifications were CPPD crystal deposits. In all nine patients, radiography (n = 5) and CT (n = 8) also showed calcification in areas adjacent to the odontoid process, which included the transverse ligament. T1- and T2-weighted MR imaging showed a retro-odontoid mass of low signal intensity that compressed the cervical cord in six patients. CT, MR imaging, or both demonstrated subchondral cysts, osseous erosions, or a type 2 odontoid fracture in all patients. CONCLUSION: CPPD crystal deposition disease involving the C1-C2 articulation can be a clinically important entity that may place affected patients at increased risk of pathologic fracture of the odontoid process.