Combined Type II Odontoid Fracture with Jefferson's Fracture Treated with Temporary Internal Fixation

ABSTRACT

An 18-year-old male presented after a motor vehicle rollover accident. Computed tomography (CT) scan confirmed the diagnosis of Type II odontoid fracture. Considering the patient's young age and the limitations of C1-C2 fusion including significant loss of cervical rotation, temporary internal fixation with a lateral mass fixation of C1 and pedicle fixation of C2 without fusion was done. CT scan done at 6-month follow-up visit showed healed odontoid fracture and excellent C1-C2 alignment. At ninth postoperative month, internal fixation was removed. Patient had normal movements of cervical spine at 1-year follow-up. Temporary internal fixation can be an important tool in the armamentarium of the surgeon in treating type II odontoid fractures in young adults and children. This strategy avoids the complications halo fixation and immobilizes the unstable C1-C2 segment without fusion. Removal of the internal fixation after healing allows restoration of the rotational motion.