[Fractures of the atlantoaxial complex in the elderly: assessment of radiological spectrum of fractures and factors influencing imaging diagnosis]. / Frakturen des Atlas und Axis bei älteren Patienten: Untersuchung des Radiologischen Spektrums der Frakturen und bedeutsamer Faktoren für die Bildgebende Diagnostik.

OBJECTIVE: To describe patterns of atlantoaxial fractures in a population of consecutive elderly patients, including assessment of type, distribution and associated clinical and radiological findings, and to analyze any influence of the causative trauma mechanism on the individual fracture pattern. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The distribution and type of 123 atlantoaxial fractures in 95 subjects older than 65 years (range: 65 - 102; mean age: 79 years) were retrospectively assessed. For each subject, trauma mechanism and clinical and neurological status were recorded at admission. Initial imaging studies of the cervical spine were reviewed. Preexistent degenerative changes were assessed and the atlantoaxial fractures classified. Data were evaluated for the frequency of different types of fractures of C1 and C2 and for accompanying fractures of cervical vertebrae or the occipital condyles, respectively. RESULTS: The majority of patients with injuries of the atlantoaxial complex had fractures of C2 (90 of 95, 95 %). A large proportion of these patients (67 of 90, 74 %) had odontoid fractures. An isolated fracture of C1 was present in only 5 (5 %) patients. Associated fractures of the occipital condyles or other cervical vertebrae were rare (10 of 95, 11 %). The main trauma mechanism for atlantoaxial injuries was a fall (56 of 95, 59 %). Elderly patients injured in motor vehicle accidents were more likely to have isolated fractures of C2 and Type III fractures of the odontoid (p < 0.02). CONCLUSION: In elderly patients, fractures of the atlantoaxial complex are mainly caused by falls and almost always involve C2. The trauma mechanism influences the fracture pattern.

Comparison of imaging-guided and non-imaging-guided quantitative sonography of the calcaneus with dual X-ray absorptiometry of the spine and femur.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of our study was to evaluate the diagnostic agreement between imaging-guided and non-imaging-guided quantitative sonography of the calcaneus and dual X-ray absorptiometry of the spine and femur to show osteoporosis. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: In 113 patients (73 women, 59 +/- 14 years old; 40 men, 48 +/- 16 years old), dual X-ray absorptiometry of the lumbar spine and the proximal femur, imaging-guided quantitative sonography, and non-imaging-guided quantitative sonography of the calcaneus were performed. The percentage of patients having a T-score equal to or less than a threshold of -2.5 SDs (prevalence of osteoporosis) was calculated for each imaging technique. The diagnostic agreement of the three techniques in identifying individuals with osteoporosis was assessed. RESULTS: Eleven percent of the women and 8% of the men were classified as osteoporotic by imaging-guided quantitative sonography, and 38% of the women and 25% of the men were so classified by non-imaging-guided quantitative sonography. At dual X-ray absorptiometry of the spine, 44% of the women and 38% of the men were classified as osteoporotic, and, at different femoral regions, 19-60% of the women and 8-38% of the men were so classified. Kappa analysis for both quantitative sonography techniques was not significant. Kappa analysis for both quantitative sonography techniques and dual X-ray absorptiometry showed diagnostic agreement to be generally poor. CONCLUSION: No advantage in diagnostic accuracy could be found for imaging-guided quantitative sonography. The considerable diagnostic disagreement between both quantitative sonography techniques and dual X-ray absorptiometry could be confusing in daily clinical practice.

Cervical spine injuries in patients 65 years old and older: epidemiologic analysis regarding the effects of age and injury mechanism on distribution, type, and stability of injuries.

OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to describe types and distribution of cervical spine injuries in elderly patients in regard to causative trauma mechanism and patient age. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The distribution and type of 225 cervical spine injuries in 149 consecutive patients 65 years old and older over a 5-year interval were retrospectively assessed. For each patient, initial admission imaging studies were reviewed, and injuries were classified. Trauma mechanism (falls from standing or seated height vs higher energy mechanisms) and initial clinical and neurologic status were recorded. Data were correlated according to patients' age (65-75 years and >75 years) and causative trauma mechanism. RESULTS: Ninety-five (64%) of 149 patients had upper cervical spine injuries. Fifty-nine (40%) of 149 patients had multilevel injuries. Main causes for cervical spine injuries were motor vehicle crashes in "young elderly" (65-75 years old; 36/59, 61%) and falls from standing or seated height in "old elderly" (>75 years old; 36/90, 40%). Fracture patterns at risk for neurologic deterioration were common (>50%), even in the absence of acute myelopathy or radiculopathy. Patients older than 75 years, independent of causative mechanism, and patients who fell from standing height, independent of age, were more likely to have injuries of the upper cervical spine (p = 0.026 and p = 0.006, respectively). CONCLUSION: Cervical spine injuries in elderly patients tend to involve more than one level with consistent clinical instability and commonly occur at the atlantoaxial complex. Old elderly patients and patients who fall from standing height are more prone to injuries of the upper cervical spine.