• Sheng Li Guo, Ding Biao Zhou, Xin Guang Yu, Yi Heng Yin, and Guang Yu Qiao.
• Department of Neurosurgery, PLA General Hospital, 28 Fuxing Rd, Beijing, 100853, China.
• Eur Spine J. 2014 Aug 1; 23 (8): 1666-72.

PurposeTo report the surgical technique and preliminary clinical results for the treatment of basilar invagination (BI) with atlantoaxial dislocation (AAD) by posterior C1-C2 pedicle screw and rod instrument.MethodsBetween July 2012 and August 2013, 33 patients who had BI with AAD underwent surgery at our institution. Pre and postoperative three-dimensional computed tomographic (CT) scans were performed to assess the degree of dislocation. Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging was used to evaluate the compression of the medulla oblongata. For all patients, reduction of the AAD was conducted by two steps: fastening nuts and rods was performed to achieve the horizontal reduction. Distraction between C1 and C2 screws was performed to obtain the vertical reduction.ResultsNo neurovascular injury occurred during surgery. Follow-up ranged from 6 to 15 months (mean 10.38 months) in 32 patients. Post-operative three-dimensional CT showed that complete horizontal reduction was obtained in 30/33 (90.9%), and complete vertical reduction was obtained in 31/33 (93.9%). The repeated three-dimensional CT and MR image demonstrated that bony fusion and the decompression of the medulla oblongata were obtained in all patients. Clinical symptoms improved significantly 3 months after surgery.ConclusionsThis C1-C2 pedicle screw and rod instrument is a promising technique for the treatment of BI with AAD.

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