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Upper Cervical Spine Fractures. EpidemiologyAnatomyRadiologyCommon InjuriesManagement Issues. Upper Cervical Spine Fractures. EpidemiologyCauseMVC42
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1. Upper Cervical Spine Fractures Daniel Gelb, MD
Created January 2006
2. Upper Cervical Spine Fractures Epidemiology
Anatomy
Radiology
Common Injuries
Management Issues
3. Upper Cervical Spine Fractures Epidemiology
Cause
MVC 42%
Fall 20%
GSW 16%
Gender
Male 81%
Female 19%
5. Upper Cervical Spine Fractures Epidemiology
Level of Education
To 8th Grade: 10%
9th to 11th: 26%
High School: 48%
College: 16%
8. Upper Cervical Anatomy
9. Upper Cervical Anatomy Biomechanically Specialized
Support of “large” Cranial mass
Large range of motion
Flexion/extension
Axial rotation
Unique osteological characteristics
10. C1 - Atlas No body
2 articular pillars
Flat articular surface
Vertebral artery foramen
2 arches
Anterior
Posterior
Vertebral artery groove
11. Anatomy – The Atlas Transition zone between head and c-spine
Important anatomical points
Superior articular processes allow flex/ext
Inferior articular processes are important for rotation
Notch for vertebral artery is a common fracture site
12. C2 Anatomy Dens
Embriological C1 body
Base poorly vascularized
Osteoporotic
Flat C1-2 joints
Vertebral artery foramena
Inferomedial to superolateral
13. Anatomy – The Axis Important transition point for forces within the c-spine
Important anatomical points
Superior and inferior articular processes are “offset” in the AP direction- due to different functions at each articulation
Pars interarticularis- due to this transition is a frequent fracture site
Odontoid process- the “pivot” for rotation
14. Anatomy – The Ligaments Allow for the wide ROM of upper C-spine while maintaining stability
Classified according to location with respect to vertebral canal
Internal:
Tectorial membrane
Cruciate ligament – including transverse ligament
Alar and apical ligaments
External
Anterior and posterior atlanto-occipital membranes
Anterior and posterior atlanto-axial membranes
Articular capsules and ligamentum nuchae
15. AtlantoAxial Anatomy
16. AtlantoAxial Anatomy
17. AtlantoAxial Anatomy
19. AtlantoAxial Anatomy
20. Radiographic Evaluation
21. Plain Radiographic Evaluation
23. Radiographic Lines Harris’ Lines
24. Radiographic Lines BC/OA
>1 considered abnormal
Limited Usefulness
Positive only in Anterior Translational injuries
False Negative with pure distraction
25. Radiographic Diagnosis
27. Upper Cervical Spine Fractures Common Injuries
Occipital Condyle Fracture
Occipital Cervical Dislocation
C1 ring injuries
Odontoid Fracture
Hangman’s Fracture
28. Occipital Condyle Fracture Type I
Impaction Fx
Type II
Extension of basilar skull fx
Type III
ALAR LIG AVULSION
33. Transverse ligament avulsion
34. Atlas Fractures - Treatment
35. Atlas Fractures - Treatment
36. Atlas Fractures - Treatment
37. Odontoid Fractures Most common fracture of Axis
(nearly 2/3 of all C2 Fxs)
10 – 20 % of all cervical fractures
Etiology Bimodal distribution
Young - high energy, multi-trauma
Elderly - low energy, isolated injury
(most common C-spine Fx elderly)
39. Treatment Optionsodontoid fractures Type 1
C-Collar
beware unrecognized AOD
40. Treatment Optionsodontoid fracture Type 3
C-Collar
SOMI brace
Halo Vest
10-15% nonunion rate
41. Treatment Optionsodontoid fracture Type 2
C-Collar
SOMI brace
Halo Vest
Odontoid Screw
C1-2 posterior fusion
42. Type II Fracture Nonunion Risk Factors Nonunion 10-70%
Initial displacement > 6mm
Age > 60 yr old
Delay Diagnosis > 3 wk
Angulation > 10°
Posterior displacement
43. Anterior Odontoid Screw Fixation Indications
Displaced Type II, Shallow Type III
Polytrauma patient
Unable to tolerate halo-vest
Early displacement despite halo-vest
Contraindications
Non-reducible odontoid fracture
Body habitus (Barrel chest )
Associated TAL injury
Subacute injury (> 6 months)
Reverse oblique
44. Posterior Odontoid Fixation Options
Posterior wiring
Up to 25% pseudoarthrosis
Halo vest necessary (?) Dickman JNS 1996, Grob Spine 1992
Transarticular screw fixation
Magerl and Steeman Cerv Spine 1987
Reilly et al, JSD 2003
C1 lateral mass - C2 pars/pedicle screw
45. The course of the vertebral artery through C1 and C2 determines the possibility of placing screws for fixation of fractures and dislocations C1 lateral mass screws
C1-2 transarticular screws
C2 pedicle/pars screws
46. Harms J, Melcher RP. Posterior C1–C2 fusion with polyaxial screw and rod fixation. Spine 2001;26:2467–71.
49. Traumatic Spondylolisthesis Axis(Hangman’s Fracture) Second most common fracture of axis
25% of C2 injuries
Most common mechanism of injury is MVA
50. Hangman’s Fracture Younger age group (Avg 38 yrs)
Usually due to hyperextension-axial compression forces (windshield strike)
Neurologic injury seen in only 5-10 % (acutely decompresses canal)
Traditional treatment has been Halo-vest
Collar adequate if < 6 mm displaced
Coric et al JNS 1996
51. Hangman’s Fracture Treatment Type III Treatment Options
Posterior
Open reduction and C1-C3 fusion
Direct pars repair and C2-C3 fusion
Anterior
C2/C3 ACDF with instrumentation
52. Halo Immobilization
53. In-hospital mortality rates in Pts > 70 yr age Rx’d Halo-vest 20 – 36%
Elderly and Halo-vest Treatment