Pyogenic spondylitis of the upper cervical spine with basilar invagination: A case report

Abstract

Pyogenic spondylitis of upper cervical spine associated with basilar invagination is very rare condition. A 40-year-old man with severe occipital pain without neurological deficits presented with atlantoaxial rotatory subluxation with basilar invagination. The occipitocervical fixation was performed after the reduction by pulling the head cranially and extending the neck using a three-point fixator in the prone position under fluoroscopically confirmation. No perioperative complications were observed and the symptoms rapidly improved. Surgery might be effective in pyogenic spondylitis of the upper cervical spine even in the absence of abnormal neurological findings but severe pain.

Keywords

• Basilar invagination
• Pyogenic spondylitis
• Osteomyelitis
• Upper cervical spine
• Occipital pain