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. 2007 Oct;41(4):255-67.
doi: 10.4103/0019-5413.36985.

Cervical spine trauma

Joel A Torretti  1 , Dilip K Sengupta
Affiliations

Cervical spine trauma

Joel A Torretti et al. Indian J Orthop. 2007 Oct.

Abstract

Cervical spine trauma is a common problem with a wide range of severity from minor ligamentous injury to frank osteo-ligamentous instability with spinal cord injury. The emergent evaluation of patients at risk relies on standardized clinical and radiographic protocols to identify injuries; elucidate associated pathology; classify injuries; and predict instability, treatment and outcomes. The unique anatomy of each region of the cervical spine demands a review of each segment individually. This article examines both upper cervical spine injuries, as well as subaxial spine trauma. The purpose of this article is to provide a review of the broad topic of cervical spine trauma with reference to the classic literature, as well as to summarize all recently available literature on each topic. IDENTIFICATION OF REFERENCES FOR INCLUSION: A Pubmed and Ovid search was performed for each topic in the review to identify recently published articles relevant to the review. In addition prior reviews and classic references were evaluated individually for inclusion of classic papers, classifications and previously unidentified references.

Keywords: Cervical spine injuries; subaxial cervical spine trauma; upper cervical spine trauma.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest: None.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Upper cervical spine anatomy. A. Sagittal view; B. Posterior view; C. Anterior view (with anterior arch of C1 cut away)
Figure 2
Figure 2
Line diagramme shows Harris Rule of 12's. Illustration for calculating the basion-dens interval (BDI) and the basion-axis interval (BAI)
Figure 3
Figure 3
Line diagramme shows common atlas fracture patterns
Figure 4
Figure 4
Line diagramme shows method for calculation of lateral mass overhang
Figure 5
Figure 5
Line diagramme shows odontoid fracture classification
Figure 6
Figure 6
Line diagramme shows classification of traumatic spondylolisthesis of the axis
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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    1. Goldberg W, Mueller C, Panacek E, Tigges S, Hoffman JR, Mower WR, et al. Distribution and patterns of blunt traumatic cervical spine injury. Ann Emerg Med. 2001;38:17–21. - PubMed
    1. Sekhon LH, Fehlings MG. Epidemiology, demographics and pathophysiology of acute spinal cord injury. Spine. 2001;26:S2–12. - PubMed

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