Skip to main content

Atlantoaxial Rotatory Fixation (AARF)

  • Living reference work entry
  • First Online:
Textbook of Pediatric Neurosurgery

Abstract

Atlantoaxial rotatory fixation (AARF) remains a recondite entity. An earlier normative study conducted by the author’s group using computed tomography (CT) motion analysis shows that there is a high degree of concordance for rotational behavior of C1 and C2 in children 0 to 18 years. This enables the construction of the physiologic C1-C2 rotation motion curve, such that AARF can be defined and classified by comparing the patient’s abnormal motion analysis curve to this normative template. This chapter therefore begins with a detailed brief preamble on the clinical signatures of AARF, followed by a disquisition on the normal and pathological rotation dynamics of the C1-C2 joint.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Al-Etani H, D’Astous J, Letts M, Hanh M, Yeadon A (1988) Masked rotatory subluxation of the atlas associated with fracture of the clavicle: a clinical and biomechanical analysis. Am J Orthop 27(5):375–380

    Google Scholar 

  • Altongy JF, Fielding JW (1990) Combined atlanto-axial and occipito-atlantal rotatory. A case report. J Bone Joint Surg Am 72(6):923–926

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Burkus JD, Despone JJ (1986) Chronic atlantoaxial rotatory fixation correction by cervical traction, manipulation, and bracing. J Pediatr Orthop 6(5):631–635

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Clark CR, Kathol MH, Walsh T, el -Khoury GY (1986) Atlantoaxial rotatory fixation with compensatory counter occipitoatlantal subluxations. A case report. Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 11(4):1048–1050

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Corner EM (1907) Rotary dislocations of the atlas. Arch Surg 45(1):9–26

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Coutts MB (1943) Atlanto-epiphyseal subluxation. Arch Surg 29:297–311

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cowan IA, Inglis GS (1996) Atlanto-axial rotatory fixation: improved demonstration using spiral CT. Australas Radiol 40(2):119–124

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Crockard HA, Rogers MA (1996) Open reduction of traumatic atlanto-axial rotatory dislocation with use of the extreme lateral approach. A case report. J Bone Joint Surg Am 78(3):431–436

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Crossman JE, David KM, Hayward R, Crockard HA (2004a) Open reduction of pediatric atlantoaxial rotatory fixation: long-term outcome study with functional measurements. J Neurosurg 100(3 Suppl):235–240

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Crossman JE, Thompson DNP, Hayward RD, Ransford AO, Crockard HA (2004b) Recurrent atlantoaxial rotatory fixation in children: a rare complication of a rare condition. J Neurosurg 100(3 Suppl Spine):307–311

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • DeRoeck BN (1977) A case of rotatory dislocation of atlas on axis. Radiography 43:127–130

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Dvorak J, Panjabi M, Gerber M, Wichmann W (1987) CT-functional diagnostics of the rotatory instability of upper cervical spine: 1: and experimental study on cadavers. Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 12(3):197–205

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Eadie PA, Moran R, Fogarty EE, Edwards GE (1989) Rotatory atlanto-axial subluxation following pharyngoplasty. Br J Plast Surg 42(6):722–723

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Fielding JW (1957) Cineroentgenography of the normal cervical spine. J Bone Joint Surg Am 39A(6):1280–1288

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fielding JW, Hawkins RJ (1977) Atlanto-axial rotatory fixation (fixed rotator subluxation of the atlanto-axial joint). J Bone Joint Surg 59(1):37–44

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Fielding JW, Stilwell WT, Chynn KY, Spyropoulos EC (1978a) Use of computed tomography for the diagnosis of atlanto-axial rotatory fixation. J Bone Joint Surg Am 60(8):1102–1104

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Fielding JW, Hawkins RJ, Hensinger RN, Francis WR (1978b) Atlanto-axial rotatory deformities. Orthop Clin N Am 9(4):955–967

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Goddard NJ, Stabler J, Albert JS (1990) Atlantoaxial rotatory fixation and fracture of the clavicle. An association and a classification. J Bone Joint Surg Br 72(1):72–75

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Goto S, Mochizuki M, Kita T, Murakami M, Nishigaki H, Moriya H (1998) Transoral joint release of the dislocated atlantoaxial joints combined with posterior reduction and fusion for a late infantile dislocated atlantoaxial joints combined with posterior reduction and fusion for a late infantile atlantoaxial rotatory fixation. A case report. Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 23(13):1485–1489

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Govender S, Kumar KP (2002) Staged reduction and stabilisation in chronic atlantoaxial rotatory fixation. J Bone Joint Surg Br 84(5):727–731

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Greig DM (1931) Clinical observations on surgical pathology of bone. Oliver & Boyd, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Grisel P (1930) Enueleation de c’atlas et torticollis nasopharyngien. Presse Med 38:50–53

    Google Scholar 

  • Hess JG, Bronstein IP, Abelson SM (1935) Atlanto-axial dislocations. Am J Dis Child 49:1137–1147

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hicazi A, Acaroglu E, Alanay A, Yazici M, Surat A (2002) Atlantoaxial rotatory fixation-subluxation revisited: a computed tomographic analysis of acute torticollis in pediatric patients. Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 27(24):2771–2775

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hopla DM, Mazur JM, Bass RM (1983) Crervical vertebrae subluxation. Laryngoscope 93(9):1155–1159

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hosono N, Yonenobu K, Tada K, Yoshikawa H (2003) Lateral atlantoaxial joint arthrography in atlantoaxial rotatory fixation. J Spinal Disord Tech 16(2):216–220

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Jayakrishnan VK, Teasdale E (2000) Torticollis due to atlanto-axial rotatory fixation following general anaesthesia. Br J Neurosurg 14(6):583–585

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Jones RW (1932) Spontaneous hyperaemic dislocation of the atlas. Proc R Soc Med 25(4):586–590

    PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Kawabe N, Hirotani H, Tanaka O (1989) Pathomechanism of atlanto-axial rotatory fixation in children. J Pediatr Orthop 9(5):569–574

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Keuter EJ (1969) Non-traumatic atlanto-axial dislacation associated with nasopharyngeal infections (Grisel’s disease). Acta Neurochir 21(1):11–22

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kowalski HM, Cohen WA, Cooper PR, Wiscoff JH (1987) Pitfalls in the CT diagnosis of atlanto-axial rotatory sublxation. Am J Roentgenol 149(3):595–600

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lee SC, Lui TN, Lee ST (2002) Atlantoaxial rotatory subluxation in skeletally immature patients. Br J Neurosurg 16(2):154–157

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Li V, Pang D (1995) Atlanto-axial rotatory fixation, 9th edn. Raven Press, New York

    Google Scholar 

  • Lukhele M (1996) Atlanto-axial rotatory fixation. S Afr Med J 86(12):1549–1552

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Maheshwaran S, Sgouros S, Jeyapalan K, Chapman S, Chandy J, Fling G (1995) Imaging of childhood torticollis due to atlanto-axial rotatory fixation. Childs Nerv Syst 11(12):667–671

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • McGuire KJ, Silber J, Flynn JM, Levine M, Dormans JP (2002) Torticollis in children: can dynamic computed tomography help determine severity and treatment. J Pediatr Orthop 22(6):766–770

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Mihara H, Onari K, Hachiya M, Toguchi A, Yamada K (2001) Follow-up study of conservative treatment for atlantoaxial rotatory displacement. J Spinal Disord 14(6):494–499

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Muñiz A, Belfer RA (1999) Atlantoaxial rotatory subluxation in children. Pediatr Emerg Care 15(a):25–29

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ono K, Yonenobu K, Fuji T, Okada K (1985) Atlanto-axial rotatory fixation: radiographic study of its mechanism. Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 10(7):602–669. =608

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pang D (2010) Atlantao-axial rotatory fixation, in Special Supplement on Surgery of the Craniovertebral Junction. Neurosurgery 66(3):A101–A183

    Google Scholar 

  • Pang D, Li V (2004) Atlanto-axial rotatory fixation part I: biomechanics of normal rotation at the atlanto-axial joint in children. Neurosurgery 55:614–626

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Pang D, Li V (2005a) Atlanto-axial rotatory fixation part III: a prospective study of the clinical manifestation, diagnosis, management and outcome of children with atlanto-axial rotatory fixation. Neurosurgery 57:954–972

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Pang D, Li V (2005b) Atlanto-axial rotatory fixation part II: new diagnostic paradigm and a new classification based on motion analysis using computed tomographic imaging. Neurosurgery 57:941–953

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Parke WW, Rothman RH, Brown MD (1984) The pharyngo vertebral veins: an anatomical rationale for Grisel’s syndrome. J Bone Joint Surg Am 66(4):568–574

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Phillips WA, Hensinger RN (1989) The management of rotatory atlanto-axial subluxation in children. J Bone Joint Surg Am 71(5):664–668

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Pinkham JR (1976) Inflamatory subluxation of the atlanto-axial joint. South Med J 69(11):1507–1509

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Roche CJ, O’Malley M, Dorgan JC, Carty HM (2001) A pictorial review of atlanto-axial rotatory fixation: key points for the radiologist. Clin Radiol 56(12):947–958

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Schwarz N (1998) The fate of missed atlanto-axial rotatory subluxation in children. Arch Orthop Trauma Surg 117(4–5):288–289

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sherk HH, Nicholson JT (1969) Rotatory atlanto-axial dislocation associated with ossiculum terminale and mongolism. A case report. J Bone Joint Surg 51(5):957–964

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sipilä P, Palva A, Sorri M, Ojala K (1981) Atlanto-axial subluxation. An unusual complication after local anethesis for tonsillectomy. Arch Otolaryngol 107(3):181–182

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Subach BR, McLaughlin MR, Albright AL, Pollack IF (1998) Current management of pediatric atlantoaxial rotatory subluxation. Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 23(20):2174–2179

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sullivan AW (1949) Subluxation of the atlanto-axial joint, sequel to inflammatory processes of the neck. J Pediatr 35(4):451–464

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Villas C, Arrigada C, Zubieta JL (1999) Preliminary CT study of C1-C2 rotational mobility in normal subjects. Eur Spine J 8(3):223–228

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Weinstein SL (1994) Atlantoaxial rotatory displacement. In: The pediatric spine, vol l. Raven Press, New York, pp 408–420

    Google Scholar 

  • Wilson BC, Jarvis BD, Hayden RC (1987) Nontraumatic subluxation of the atlanto-axial joint: Grisel’s syndrome. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol 96(6):705–708

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wittek A (1908) Ein fall von Distensionluxation im Atlanto-epiphyseal Gelenke. Munch Med Wochenschr 55:1836–1837

    Google Scholar 

  • Wortzman G, Dewar FP (1968) Rotary fixation of the atlanto-axial joint: rotational atlanto-axial subluxation. Radiology 90(3):479–484

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Dachling Pang .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Section Editor information

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2017 Springer International Publishing AG

About this entry

Cite this entry

Pang, D. (2017). Atlantoaxial Rotatory Fixation (AARF). In: Di Rocco, C., Pang, D., Rutka, J. (eds) Textbook of Pediatric Neurosurgery. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-31512-6_136-1

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-31512-6_136-1

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-31512-6

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-31512-6

  • eBook Packages: Springer Reference Biomedicine and Life SciencesReference Module Biomedical and Life Sciences

Publish with us

Policies and ethics