Abstract
1. Seven cases of non-traumatic anterior atlanto-axial displacement in young people are recorded.
2. Four of the seven patients showed evidence of neurological compression. All cases improved symptomatically with treatment, but five still show persistent radiological displacement.
3. The mechanism of the displacement is thought to be due to acquired insufficiency of the transverse ligament.
4. The distance between the anterior arch of the atlas and the dens in children measured on lateral radiographs of the cervical spine, varies from two to more than three millimetres.
5. Skull traction followed by immobilisation in a collar or Minerva plaster is advised.
6. The place of cervical fusion is discussed.
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