Fracture of the Atlas through a Synchondrosis of Anterior Arch

Cervical fractures are rare in paediatric population. In younger children, cervical fractures usually occur above the level of C4; whereas in older population, fractures or dislocations more commonly involve the lower cervical spine. Greater elasticity of intervertebral ligaments and also the spinal...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Gamze Turk, Ismail M. Kabakus, Erhan Akpinar
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2013-01-01
Series:Case Reports in Radiology
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2013/934135
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Summary:Cervical fractures are rare in paediatric population. In younger children, cervical fractures usually occur above the level of C4; whereas in older population, fractures or dislocations more commonly involve the lower cervical spine. Greater elasticity of intervertebral ligaments and also the spinal vertebrae explains why cervical fractures in paediatric ages are rare. The injury usually results from a symmetric or asymmetric axial loading. In paediatric cases, most fractures occur through the synchondroses which are the weakest links of the atlas. The prognosis depends on the severity of the spinal cord injury. In this case, we presented an anterior fracture in synchondrosis of atlas after falling on head treated with cervical collar. There was no neurologic deficit for the following 2 years.
ISSN:2090-6862
2090-6870