Compressive myelopathy due to C2-C3 spondyloptosis as a consequence of absent C2 posterior elements: A rare case/review of literature

Abstract

Congenital anomalies of the C2 vertebra involving the odontoid process are relatively common but anomalies involving posterior elements (lamina) of C2 are rare. Here we describe one such rare case of a 20 year old female patient who presented with the features of high cervical myelopathy due to CVJ anomaly with absent posterior elements of C2 along with C2-C3 spondyloptosis. The patient was operated for C1-C3 fixation & reduction of C2-C3 listhesis leading to improvement in neurological status. Only few such cases of the absent posterior arch of C2 have been reported so far. The available literature has been reviewed.

Keywords

• Absent lamina C2
• CVJ anomaly
• 3D printing
• C2-C3 spondyloptosis
• AAD