Abstract:

BACKGROUND: The three-dimensional CT reconstruction has an exact role in precise evaluation of complex anatomical structures such as head and neck, spine, pelvis, limbs.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the three-dimensional CT reconstruction in diagnosis and treatment of traumatic atlantoaxial destabilization.
METHODS: Twenty-one cases of traumatic atlantoaxial destabilization were reviewed. Each case was examined with the three-dimensional CT reconstruction to diagnose and analyze traumatic atlantoaxial destabilization and was operated according to the three-dimensional CT reconstruction images.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The three-dimensional atlantoaxial images were reconstructed clearly with the three-dimensional CT reconstruction techniques. According to the three-dimensional images, there was no damage to the spinal cord, vertebral artery and nerve root during operation. All patients got healing of bone fracture and bony fusion during follow-up period (6-15 months, averagely 9 months) and the atlantoaxial destabilization was effectively corrected. It is helpful to diagnose and treat  traumatic atlantoaxial destabilization with the three-dimensional CT reconstruction images.