Post-traumatic OS Odontoideum: A Rare Anomaly that can have a Deleterious Effect

This chapter highlights about post-traumatic os odontoideum. Os odontoideum is a rare condition defined radiographically as an oval or round-shaped ossicle of variable size with smooth circumferential cortical margins representing the odontoid process that has no continuity with the body of C2. This rare clinical condition can be of interest to many medical professionals who are involved in traumatology, as it may be found in association with other post-traumatic pathologies, posing differential and complex diagnostic and treatment problems. Since several key structures pass near to one another in the upper cervical spinal area, which is quite complex anatomically, it is crucial to revisit this subject. We present a case of a 28 years old female, generally healthy, who presented to the E.R. after obtaining a cervical trauma in a car accident when she was hit from behind. On site she was found outside the car that was hit by a truck, GCS was 11. If a person suffers from hyper mobile dens due to insufficiency of its ligamentous complex, it may cause translation of the atlas on the axis and may compress the cervical cord or vertebral arteries. There are cases where patients suffering from Os odontoideum became quadriplegic after a minor trauma. This lesion usually presents in pediatric population and its cause is widely debatable today. The most recent analysis of Os odontoideum is presented in our publication, along with a case study of a young woman who was identified with the condition and the procedures performed to inspect, stabilise, and ultimately treat her. Minor trauma in undiagnosed cervical instability might end in catastrophic neurological insult, hence is the importance of early diagnosis and treatment. The principles of treatment are to prevent sudden death from neurological compromise, improve the neurological status, stabilize the cervical spine, and improve the quality of life.