[Atlanto-axial dislocations in children].

A series of 9 cases of atlanto-axial dislocation observed between 1976 and 1982 illustrates the wide range of etiologic factors as well as their possible implication. The findings were as follows: 3 congenital anomalies of the odontoid process, 2 luxations resulting from trauma, 1 spine infection, 2 Grisel syndromes, 1 psoriatic rheumatism. Among them 3 children had incomplete tetraplegia. Six patients were treated by posterior spine fusion either directly or after failure of conservative management. The authors emphasize the difficulty in relating the disorder to its real cause and discuss the various methods of treatment according to the etiology, whether reduction and stabilization are possible and according to the neural involvement and the date of onset of the disorders.