1. [Fractures of the upper cervical spine--indications for treatment].
- Author
-
Seiler H, Hackstein W, and Graf LP
- Subjects
- Adult, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Atlanto-Occipital Joint injuries, Axis, Cervical Vertebra injuries, Cervical Atlas injuries, Female, Humans, Joint Dislocations diagnostic imaging, Joint Dislocations mortality, Male, Middle Aged, Multiple Trauma diagnostic imaging, Multiple Trauma mortality, Multiple Trauma surgery, Radiography, Spinal Fractures diagnostic imaging, Spinal Fractures mortality, Spinal Fusion, Spinal Injuries diagnostic imaging, Spinal Injuries mortality, Survival Rate, Cervical Vertebrae injuries, Joint Dislocations surgery, Spinal Fractures surgery, Spinal Injuries surgery
- Abstract
Over 2 years, 16 patients with a total of 23 lesions of the craniovertebral junction and the upper cervical spine were treated. Clinically important aspects of diagnosis and classification are outlined. The conditions treated included fractures of the occipital condyle and atlas, dens-axis, and hanged-man fractures. Standard operative treatment, which has to be modified in cases of combined injuries, is presented. Surgery is frequently indicated, especially in elderly and polytraumatized patients. In addition, 2 cases of atlanto-occipital dislocation are described: 1 of these patients survived for 5 days after early atlanto-occipital fusion.
- Published
- 1993