ABSTRACT
A review of 26 cases of odontoid fractures has been carried out. Late diagnosis and consequent delay in treatment were found to be important causes of non-union. Myelopathy in odontoid fractures is of two types. One type is that present immediately after injury, while the other is delayed. In treatment of long-standing cases, only fusion without posterior decompression should be done. If the latter procedure is carried out, it can produce medullospinal haematomyelia with respiratory arrest and tetraplegia. In the performance of atlanto-axial fusion, the technique of bone grafting and the use of thick wires need emphasis.
Subject(s)
Axis, Cervical Vertebra/injuries , Fractures, Bone , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Child , Female , Fractures, Bone/complications , Fractures, Bone/surgery , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Spinal Cord Diseases/etiology , Spinal FusionABSTRACT
Two hundred knees of 100 Chinese cadavera were studied with reference to factors which have been implicated in the etiology of chondromalacia of the patella. The findings were as follows: chondromalacia of the patella was less common in Chinese than in Europeans, did not always start in the medial patellar facet, and showed no relationship to the presence of abnormal menisci or to the anatomical characteristics of the medial femoral condyle which have been suggested as causative factors.
Subject(s)
Asian People , Cartilage Diseases/epidemiology , Cartilage, Articular/pathology , Patella/pathology , Adult , Aged , Autopsy , Cartilage Diseases/etiology , Cartilage Diseases/pathology , Humans , Middle Aged , SingaporeABSTRACT
Fifteen patients with fracture of the axis arch ("Hangman's Fracture" of the cervical spine) reviewed with regard to the clinical features, mechanism of injury and management, present a relatively high rate of cord involvement (11 patients) and injuries around the jaw (5 patients). All of the injuries occurred in civilian accidents. The jaw injuries suggest the inclusion of an extension-distraction force. Treatment was conservative in all patients, even in those with severe displacement. Union generally occurred in about 3 months. The only complaint in those patients with union in the displaced position, was limitation of lateral rotation of the head.