Issue release date: 12.11.2024
Turkish Neurosurgery
2014 , Vol 24 , Num 3
Unusual Pain due to Unilateral Facet Degeneration at the C1-2 Level
1Rheinische Friedrich Wilhelm University, Medical Faculty, Germany2Koc University, School of Medicine, Department of Neurosurgery, Istanbul, Turkey
3Istanbul Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Training Hospital, Department of Neurosurgery, Istanbul, Turkey
4Erzincan University, School of Medicine, Mengücek Gazi Training and Research Hospital, Department of Neurosurgery, Erzincan, Turkey
5American Hospital, Department of Neurosurgery, Istanbul, Turkey DOI : 10.5137/1019-5149.JTN.8249-13.1 AIM: Neck pain is a common problem that may result from abnormalities in the soft tissues, bones and joints of the spine. However, upper neck and occipital pain syndrome due to unilateral idiopathic arthrosis of a C1-2 lateral articulation is a very rare condition.
MATERIAL and METHODS: We describe two patients with unilateral arthrosis of a C1-2 lateral articulation who were successfully treated with C1-2 fusion.
RESULTS: The patients presented with severe headache and/or neck pain. The diagnosis was made with a careful history and imaging studies, including X-ray films, CT scans, and MRI studies. Posterior atlanto-axial transfacet screw fixation was performed in both patients. There were no surgical complications.
CONCLUSION: C1-2 fusion is necessary to relieve intractable pain after failure of conservative treatment and/or invasive pain procedures in unilateral C1-2 arthrosis.
Keywords : Unilateral arthrosis, Cervical, Pain syndrome, Fusion