J Korean Neurosurg Soc.  1993 Oct;22(10):1091-1097.

Clinical Analysis on Various Fractures of the Axis

• Jeong GH
• Kim SK
• So JN
• Chung BS
• Eoh W
• Lee KH

Abstract

This retrospective analysis describes the clinical characteristics, treatment, and outcome of 15 patients with C2 fracture. The Age of the patients varied from 28 to 71. There were only two female patients whose mean age was 25.5 while the mean age of 13 male patients was 44.6. Five patients showed odontoid process fracture, three had C2 body fracture and the remainder were traumatic spondylolisthesis of the axis. The fractures were caused by falls in two patients(13.3%) while in 11 patients(73.3%) they were associated with motor-vehicle accidents. The other two patients were injured by falling objects. No patients suffered a neurological injury associated with the fracture. Three patients are still hospitalized, and follow-up was lost for 2 patients. In 10 patients mean follow-up period was 7 months. External immobilization with halovest was done on all patients. Additionally, anterior interbody fusion was done on 1 patient(Case No. 3). All patients showed the union radiologically, and resumed routine activity. Only 4 of them complained minor limited range of motion of the neck.

Keyword

Traumatic spondylolisthesis of the axis; Odontoid fracture; C2 fracture

MeSH Terms

Axis, Cervical Vertebra*
Female
Follow-Up Studies
Humans
Immobilization
Male
Neck
Odontoid Process
Range of Motion, Articular
Retrospective Studies
Spondylolisthesis