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Child's Nervous System
Published in: Child's Nervous System 8/2016

01-08-2016 | Review Paper

Traumatic atlanto-occipital dislocation: do children and adolescents have better or worse outcomes than adults? A narrative review

Authors: R. Shane Tubbs, Chirag Patel, Marios Loukas, Rod J. Oskouian, Jens R. Chapman

Published in: Child's Nervous System | Issue 8/2016

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Abstract

Background

Traumatic atlanto-occipital dislocation is an uncommon, severely unstable pathology, which can lead to detrimental or even fatal neurological impairment. Specifically, children have consistently been reported to be more susceptible to this type of injury because of their disproportionately larger head, ligament laxity, and injury mechanisms. However, to date, rates of missed injury and outcomes including neurologic recovery of pediatric and adult populations following this insult have not been comparatively evaluated.

Methods

Standard search engines were used to investigate outcomes of traumatic atlanto-occipital dislocation in children and adolescents compared to adults.

Conclusions

Based on case reports and small series from the literature, it seems that children and adolescents tend to have a better likelihood of survival with the possibility of long-term neurological complications. Comparatively, adults who suffer traumatic atlanto-occipital dislocation either succumb to their injuries or survive with very little if any neurological complications.
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Metadata
Title
Traumatic atlanto-occipital dislocation: do children and adolescents have better or worse outcomes than adults? A narrative review
Authors
R. Shane Tubbs
Chirag Patel
Marios Loukas
Rod J. Oskouian
Jens R. Chapman
Publication date
01-08-2016
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in
Child's Nervous System / Issue 8/2016
Print ISSN: 0256-7040
Electronic ISSN: 1433-0350
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00381-016-3118-y

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