Management of Atlantoaxial Instability Due to a Pathological Fracture of the Axis

Abstract

Metastases to the upper cervical spine are uncommon, and subsequent instability is rare. We report the details of a patient with metastatic breast cancer to the axis manifesting as a pathologic fracture and C1/C2 instability. This was treated by preoperative reduction to appropriate alignment with use of crown halo traction, followed by posterior occipitocervical fusion and postoperative radiation therapy.