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Type D fractures of the odontoid process

Type D fractures of the odontoid process Type D fractures of the odontoid process are rare and usually occur in the elderly. The mechanism of fracture is unclear. Non-operative treatment is indicated provided that adequate immobilization using skull traction followed by either a collar or a halo vest can be achieved. The prognosis is usually favorable for this type of fractures. We present 6 patients with complex (type D) fractures of the odontoid process admitted and treated at our institution since 1970. There were five men and one woman with a mean age of 57.7 years (range, 16–81 years). Although there were concomitant injuries no neurological deficits due to the odontoid process fracture was detected. All patients were treated non-operatively using skull traction or a halo vest for 8 to 12 weeks. One patient deceased two days after the injury. At the latest examination, all the remaining five patients had complete union of the odontoid process fracture; three of them had excellent range of motion and two had painful or restricted range of motion of the upper cervical spine. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png ArgoSpine News & Journal Springer Journals

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References (30)

Publisher
Springer Journals
Copyright
Copyright © 2011 by ARGOS and Springer-Verlag France
Subject
Medicine & Public Health; Diagnostic Radiology; Orthopedics; Surgical Orthopedics
ISSN
1957-7729
eISSN
1957-7737
DOI
10.1007/s12240-011-0016-8
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

Type D fractures of the odontoid process are rare and usually occur in the elderly. The mechanism of fracture is unclear. Non-operative treatment is indicated provided that adequate immobilization using skull traction followed by either a collar or a halo vest can be achieved. The prognosis is usually favorable for this type of fractures. We present 6 patients with complex (type D) fractures of the odontoid process admitted and treated at our institution since 1970. There were five men and one woman with a mean age of 57.7 years (range, 16–81 years). Although there were concomitant injuries no neurological deficits due to the odontoid process fracture was detected. All patients were treated non-operatively using skull traction or a halo vest for 8 to 12 weeks. One patient deceased two days after the injury. At the latest examination, all the remaining five patients had complete union of the odontoid process fracture; three of them had excellent range of motion and two had painful or restricted range of motion of the upper cervical spine.

Journal

ArgoSpine News & JournalSpringer Journals

Published: Dec 2, 2011

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