Os Odontoideum: Review Article

Abstract

Os odontoideum (OO) is defined as an ossicle with circumferential smooth margins and no osseous continuity with the body of axis. While the size of the ossicle is variable, it has a smooth 
surface, therefore, the cause of this condition has been presumed to be both congenital and traumatic. The possible cause of this condition has been implicated in its underlying etiology. However, patients with this condition may be asymptomatic or may be symptomatic of a variety of 
neurological deficits and vascular dysfunctions. The treatment of both the asymptomatic and 
symptomatic characteristics of this condition has undergone changes over the past few decades. 
The most challenging issue encountered is the management of OO with irreducible atlantoaxial 
dislocation. This outlines the objective of our discussion to examine the aforementioned subject 
extensively and review the appropriate potential strategies for the treatment of this condition.