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Isolated laryngeal fractures quite rarely can occur following trauma to the neck region, but because of the variety and dynamic growth of symptoms or possible injury of the main structures on the neck may be life-threatening. The appropriate treatment of these patients is quick surgical intervention proceeded by imaging techniques. Here we report the cases of three patients treated in our Department between 2009 and 2012: two of them with penetrating injury and one with blunt trauma. The appropriate treatment of these patients requires that airway patency be the first priority and if possible quick reconstruction. These cases illustrate the individualized treatment and multidisciplinary approach in managing such cases., (Copyright © 2013 Polish Otorhinolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery Society. Published by Elsevier Urban & Partner Sp. z.o.o. All rights reserved.)

Background and Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of surgery treatment in patients with posttraumatic fractures with dislocation of the cervical spine., Material and Methods: A retrospective review was carried out in 24 patients suffering from posttraumatic fractures of cervical spine segments with dislocation treated surgically at the Department and Clinic of Neurosurgery and Neurotraumatology, University of Medical Sciences in Poznań between 1998-2002. The study included 19 (79.2%) males and 5 (20.8%) females, aged from 16 to 60 years (the average age was 35.5). Traumatic lesions of cervical vertebral segments were localized as follows: level C3-C4 - 3 cases; C4-C6 - 17 cases; and at C6-Th1 - 4 cases. A three-grade scale was used to assess the severity of spinal cord trauma. On admission a complete transverse spinal cord syndrome was observed in 6 patients. Radiological investigations included X-ray (24 cases), CT (2 cases) and MRI (22 cases). With this in mind, the osteometric indices of the spine axis deformity were established: the index of anterior displacement of the vertebrae, the angle of local kyphosis (assessed by the Cobb's technique) and the lordosis curvature index., Results: In all cases the operation was performed using the anterior approach. Surgery included anterior decompression and stabilization of the cervical spine by means of a bone graft or acrylic cement and trapezoidal or "S" plate. The postoperative neurological condition improved in 21 (87.5) patients and correction of the cervical axis was achieved in 24 (100%) cases. Postoperative neurological deficits were intensified in 2 cases and were regressive. The mortality rate was 4.2% (1 case)., Conclusions: Osteometric radiological indices enable the bone structure posttraumatic lesions of the cervical vertebral column to be evaluated. This type of internal stabilization makes it possible to restore the alignment of the anterior column and immobilization of the appropriate vertebral segments.

The aim of the work was the examination of vestibular and visual disturbances in patients after whiplash injury of the neck. The authors are of the opinion, that estimation of peripheral and central vestibular disorders are useful for defining of the clinical state of these patients.