Traumatic dislocation of the atlanto-occipital joint.

We present four patients who had sustained a traumatic dislocation of the atlanto-occipital joint. The diagnosis was initially missed in two patients. One patient, who was neurologically intact, was treated non-operatively. The remaining three recovered neurologically after an occipitocervical fusion. Early recognition of the injury, especially in multiply-injured patients with head injuries, and timely management may improve survival and neurological recovery.