Analysis of Misdiagnosis of Atlantoaxial Subluxation
LI Decheng
REN Yanjing
ZHAO Guangyi
WANG Fangfang
ZHANG Yanmin
GAO Mian
NIU Miaomiao
Abstract：Objective To investigate the clinical characteristics and causes of misdiagnosis of atlantoaxial sublux-ation(AAS),and to summarize preventive measures.Methods The clinical data of 10 patients with AAS misdiagnosed and then treated from January 2022 to March 2023 were retrospectively analyzed.Results Ten patients presented with neck pain,upper limb radia-tion pain and numbness,headache,dizziness,and tinnitus.After cervical MRI,head CT,transcranial Doppler ultr sound(TCD),pure tone threshold test and other examinations,4 patients were misdiagnosed with cervical radiculopathy,3 patients with cervical headache,and 3 patients with Meniere's disease.Misdiagnosis lasted from 7 to 14 d.All the 10 patients were diagnosed with AAS by cervical X-ray and examination using open-mouth view of the odontoid,and were treated with in-termittent traction and manual reconstruction.At 3 months after treatment,the above symptoms were relieved or disappeared without recurrence.Conclusion The clinical manifestations of AAS are complex and non-specific,and it is more likely to be misdiagnosed.For clinicians,strengthening the understanding of the disease,comprehensive analysis of the condition,detailed examination,reasonable selection of examination items,and careful differential diagnosis are needed in order to reduce or avoid the occurrence of misdiag-nosis.
Keywords：Atlantoaxial subluxationMisdiagnosisCervical radiculopathyCervicogenic headacheMeniere's diseaseX-ray examinationDifferential diagnosis
Publication Date：2024-07-28
Online Publishing Date：2025-08-15(First online date of this platform, not the publication date of the document)
Pages：5( 6-9,33 )