ABSTRACT
STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective study was performed to identify horizontal fractures of the body of the axis, with special attention to their pattern, prevalence, and clinical outcome. OBJECTIVE: The prevalence of this type of injury and the long-term clinical behavior are examined. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Although isolated cases have been reported, horizontal Chance-type fractures of the body of the axis are not common cervical spine injuries. METHODS: The medical records of 674 consecutive patients with fractures of the cervical spine admitted to the authors' institute from 1970 to 2002 were reviewed. Of them, 2 (0.3%) had a horizontal Chance-type fracture of the body of the axis. Neurologic deficits were not diagnosed at admission. Mechanism of injury, treatment, and long-term follow-up were evaluated. RESULTS: Both patients were treated nonoperatively. At the latest follow-up, 3 and 12 years, respectively, both patients had a satisfactory clinical outcome. CONCLUSION: Horizontal fractures of the Chance-type of the body of the axis are rare. Conservative treatment proved to be effective.
Subject(s)
Axis, Cervical Vertebra/injuries , Spinal Fractures/diagnostic imaging , Spinal Fractures/therapy , Aged , Biomechanical Phenomena , Braces , Female , Fracture Healing , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Range of Motion, Articular , Retrospective Studies , Spinal Fractures/physiopathology , Tomography, X-Ray Computed , Traction , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
Multiple fractures of the axis are not common lesions. A retrospective study was performed to identify the different fracture patterns and to analyze the incidence of these injuries and their long-term behavior. The medical records of 674 consecutive patients with fractures of the cervical spine were reviewed. Nine (1%) of 674 patients (6 men and 3 women) had multiple fractures of the axis. Mean patient age was 48 years. The most common lesion was a combination of traumatic spondylolisthesis with either an odontoid process or a teardrop fracture of the axis body. All patients were treated conservatively with an excellent or good outcome at mean 12-year follow-up (range: 2-18 years). Computed tomography was the imaging modality of choice for the correct diagnosis of these rare lesions.
