Os Odontoideum - "MR documented Craniocervical Ligamentous Injury in Early Childhood with delayed formation of Os Odontoideum on Sequential Imaging". Case-based Review and Mini Database Analysis

Abstract

The etiology of os odontoideum has been debated ever since its first description by Giacomini in 1886. There are proponents of congenital origin as well as reports of post-traumatic os odontoideum formation after early childhood craniovertebral junction (CVJ) trauma. We document CVJ ligamentous injury on MRI in an 18-month-old child with sequential imaging demonstrating the os odontoid formation. Our database of 260 surgically treated patients with os odontoideum was analyzed regarding etiology and associated abnormalities. The literature (1970-2022) is reviewed.