Odontoid osteomyelitis with atlantoaxial subluxation in an infant.

<bold>Purpose: </bold>To report a rare case of odontoid osteomyelitis with atlantoaxial subluxation in a 6-month-old infant.<bold>Background: </bold>Odontoid osteomyelitis with atlantoaxial subluxation is extremely rare in children. Although several cases have been reported, there have been no studies concerning proper surgical drainage and immobilization in this disease.<bold>Methods: </bold>A 6-month-old infant with odontoid osteomyelitis with atlantoaxial subluxation was surgically treated. The patient underwent a 3-month intravenous and oral antibiotic course and the Minerva body jacket cast was used for 3 months. Follow-up was carried out with computed tomographic scans and a cervical spine dynamogram.<bold>Results: </bold>At 18 months post-surgery, the patient had completely recovered with no cervical instability. Computed tomographic scans revealed complete fusion of odontoid synchondrosis. The infant remained asymptomatic with a full range of head movement.<bold>Conclusion: </bold>Surgical drainage and proper immobilization appears to be a satisfactory treatment for pyogenic osteomyelitis of odontoid synchondrosis secondary to retropharyngeal abscess and atlantoaxial subluxation.<bold>Level Of Evidence: </bold>N/A. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]