Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42789069›Full record

ArticleEuropean spine journal : official publication of the European Spine Society, the European Spinal Deformity Society, and the European Section of the Cervical Spine Research Society2026

Novel atlanto-odontoid joint arthroplasty for atlanto-axial instability: a case report with 7-year follow-up.

Jie Qin, Jinghao Zhao, Quanjin Zang, Teng Lu, Jing Li, Dong Wang, Chen-Guang Zhao, Yubing Yang, Chengdong Zhou, Xijing He

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In one paragraph

Article in European spine journal : official publication of the European Spine Society, the European Spinal Deformity Society, and the European Section of the Cervical Spine Research Society, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

10 authors.

Jie QinSecond Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China.
Jinghao ZhaoSecond Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China.
Quanjin ZangXi'an International Medical Center Hospital, Xi'an, China.
Teng LuSecond Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China.
Jing LiSecond Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China.
Dong WangSecond Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China.
Chen-Guang ZhaoXijing Hospital, Xi'an, China.
Yubing YangSecond Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China.
Chengdong ZhouSecond Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China.
Xijing HeSecond Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, China. hexijing@xjtu.edu.cn.

Funding

Key Research and Development Projects of Shaanxi Province 2021LLRH-08Shaanxi Key Science and Technology Innovation Team Project 2024RS-CXTD-89Xi'an Science and Technology Association 25YXYJZD00001
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundInstability of the craniocervical junction may compress the spinal cord or nerve roots, causing severe neurological complications. Conventional fusion restores stability but restricts cervical mobility and accelerates adjacent-segment degeneration. Motion-preserving alternatives at this region remain scarce. CASE REPORT: A 42-year-old man with atlantoaxial instability secondary to os odontoideum presented with neck pain, numbness and weakness in all four limbs. Following extensive biomechanical testing on cadaveric and goat models, he underwent transoral odontoidectomy and replacement with a multidimensional artificial atlanto-odontoid joint. His symptoms resolved rapidly, with normal muscle strength restored within two days. At the 7-year follow-up, the implant remained well positioned without major complications, and nearly normal cervical rotation and flexion-extension were maintained.

conclusionThis case demonstrates the potential feasibility of artificial atlanto-odontoid joint arthroplasty as a motion-preserving alternative to fusion. Further studies with larger cohorts and longer follow-up are needed to validate its safety and efficacy.

Indexed as

Atlanto-axial instabilityAtlanto-odontoid jointCraniocervical junctionMotion-preserving cervical jointNon-fusion technique

Identifiers

PMID42789069

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.