Minimally Invasive Spinal Fusion Helps 3-Year-Old Overcome Rare Neck Disorder at OU Health

Elliott Lohse from Iowa was just 13 months old when he fell from his highchair. His mother, Lauren, immediately sensed something wasn’t right. Though X‑rays at the pediatrician’s office showed no fractures and everything appeared normal, Elliott didn’t improve. He moaned throughout the day and resisted movement, prompting Lauren — a medical professional herself — to ask a nurse friend for advice.

The nurse recommended taking him to the emergency room for a more thorough evaluation. At the ER, additional scans once again appeared normal, and doctors suggested Elliott had likely strained his neck. Still, Lauren noticed subtle but persistent changes in the days that followed.

“He was never quite the same mechanically,” she said.

Concerning Symptoms

Over time, Elliott began favoring one side of his body. Certain movements caused pain, especially when his neck was extended. Lauren noticed that Elliott struggled to look up at the television without stepping back and lifting him under the arms caused him to squeal. Swings became another red flag.

“If we stopped him abruptly so there was any neck jolt, he would cry out,” Lauren said.

Initially, the family assumed Elliott was dealing with lingering stiffness from the fall as the scans had shown nothing of concern. Physical therapy was recommended, but scheduling was delayed due to an extended leave by the therapist. Meanwhile, Elliott seemed to improve. The worst appeared to be behind them.

However, by the time Elliott turned 3, the symptoms had become more obvious again.

“He’d say his neck hurt,” Lauren said. “When he ran, he’d hold his shoulder up. At the time, we thought it was a tight muscle from the fall.”

Lauren consulted a pediatric chiropractor who was concerned that Elliott wasn’t showing the improvement he’d expected after a couple of gentle sessions. He urged Lauren to take Elliott to a physical therapist (PT).

The PT told the Lohses that Elliott needed more X-rays before he could treat him and this time, the results were alarming.

“The X-ray was grossly abnormal,” Lauren said. “That’s kind of when everything blew up.”

A further CT scan revealed a rare cervical spine condition called os odontoideum, a disorder affecting the stability of the upper spine. Elliott was urgently referred for further evaluation.

Os Odontoideum — A Rare Spinal Disorder

Os odontoideum is a condition that affects the C2 vertebra, the second bone in the neck. In a healthy spine, C2 forms from several small pieces of bone that fuse together as a child grows. One of these pieces becomes a peg-like shape called the odontoid process. This peg fuses with the base of C2, called the vertebral body, completing the C2 vertebra. The top of C2 — the peg — fits into the ring-shaped structure of C1, the first bone in the neck. Together, this peg-and-ring connection forms a joint that lets the head turn from side to side, nod forward, and tilt backward.

Normally, the peg fuses to the vertebral body between ages 3 and 6, but in Elliott’s case, the fusion wasn't happening as it should. This condition can be present at birth (congenital) or develop after a spinal injury or trauma.

Finding Treatment for Os Odontoideum

Elliott's family consulted with a medical center in Iowa that recommended an extensive spinal fusion, from the back of the skull down to C2. This would be followed by placement in a halo device, a brace that immobilizes the head, neck, and upper spine. On top of the brace is a ring, or halo, that is screwed into the skull with pins; metal bars connect the ring to a vest around the body.

While the team was knowledgeable, the experience left Lauren and her husband Lance uneasy.

“We left feeling bamboozled,” Lauren said. “The proposed surgery involved a long operation, fusion of multiple spinal levels, use of cadaver and rib bone, prolonged intubation, and rigid immobilization afterward.”

The couple sought additional opinions, including consultations and discussions at two top children’s hospitals in different states. Each option came with different recommendations, and both included the use of an extensive spinal fusion and a halo brace — a prospect that worried the family.

“That just felt like a lot for such a small child,” Lauren said.

Looking beyond those initial recommendations, Lauren and Lance continued researching and speaking with neurosurgical experts before ultimately choosing to travel to Oklahoma Children’s OU Health, part of the University of Oklahoma’s academic health system, for Elliott’s treatment.

When the Lohses met pediatric neurosurgeon Dr. Andrew Jea, M.D., chief of pediatric neurosurgery at OU Health and professor and chair of the Department of Neurosurgery at the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine, the experience felt different.

“I loved Dr. Jea from the first appointment,” Lauren said. “He was calm, honest, and explained everything clearly. He said, ‘I can do this differently, and here’s why.’”

Dr. Jea recommended a less extensive fusion, preserving more of Elliott’s natural range of motion and avoiding the need for a halo brace.

"I didn't think that an extensive spinal fusion needed to be done," Dr. Jea said. "I thought we could keep our fusion at C1 and C2 only, where the problem was, and put him in a collar, rather than use a halo vest."

The Surgical Procedure

On Dec. 19, 2025, Dr. Jea performed a targeted spinal fusion to fix the unstable segment in Elliott's neck. The procedure involved placing screws into the affected vertebrae, connecting them with rods to provide stability, and using bone grafts to promote healing.

"I put two screws into the first vertebra on the left and right sides, two screws into the second vertebra on the left and right sides, and then connected those screws with short rods," Dr. Jea explained. "We also put bone grafts in that area to get the bone to heal into one solid piece of bone."

The family had been told to expect a hospital stay of up to 10 days with a traditional spinal fusion. Instead, Elliott was discharged within 24 hours of surgery, allowing them to travel back to Iowa with time to prepare for Christmas.

Healing, One Step At A Time

Elliott’s recovery has progressed steadily, and now, only months later, he’s back to being an active 3-year-old.

“He’s running around, playing, trying to keep up with his 5-year-old brother,” Lauren said. “We still have to remind him to be careful, but he’s doing great.”

He continues to wear a cervical collar while doctors monitor his healing, with the timeline depending on follow-up imaging results.

Long-term, Dr. Jea expects Elliott’s young age to work in his favor.

“Dr. Jea told us that once Elliott is healed, you wouldn’t be able to pick him out in a room of kids and guess who had their neck fused,” Lauren said. “That was incredible to hear.”

Looking back, Lauren and Lance are grateful for the care they received.

“The hospital was wonderful,” Lauren said. “The PACU [post-anesthesia care unit] nurse was incredible — she didn’t leave our side until Elliott was stable. As a former PACU nurse myself, I know how hard that is.”

Most of all, the family is thankful they trusted their instincts.

“You just know when something isn’t right,” Lauren said. “And we’re so grateful we found the right team to listen.”

Why Families Choose OU Health for Complex Spine Cases

Not every pediatric neurosurgeon has the training and experience to perform complex spinal surgeries like Elliott's. Dr. Jea emphasized that OU Health's team brings specialized expertise to these rare conditions.

"The Oklahoma Children’s OU Health pediatric neurosurgery team has vast experience in treating these conditions, and we have a track record of quality outcomes," Dr. Jea said. "Not every pediatric neurosurgeon is trained to perform these complex spine cases, but here at Oklahoma Children’s, we are."

Learn more about Oklahoma Children’s specialized pediatric neurosurgery care for complex spine conditions, call (572) 244-0048 to speak to our team, or request an appointment or second opinion.