INTRODUCTION Fractures of the odontoid process make up between 10 and 15% of all cervical fractures. The decision as to when to operate on them is still controversial; the dilemma as to whether to use surgical or conservative treatment is still a problem.
PATIENTS AND METHODS We designed a descriptive study, which was prospective and applied to all patients diagnosed as having a fracture of the odontoid process, admitted to the Neurosurgical Department of Maputo Central Hospital (Mozambique) between June 1997 and May 1998. Follow-up was rigorously controlled up to May 2000. All were treated conservatively with a cervical plaster collar.
RESULTS Six cases (83.3%), mainly male, were diagnosed. The patients were aged between 17 and 42 years, with an average age of 26.16 years. The commonest aetiology was a traffic accident (66.6%). Type II fractures were the commonest, seen in 4 patients. All patients complained of pain in the back of their necks. Dysparesia and brachial monoparesia were both seen in 33.3% of the patients. In four cases the fracture consolidated in three months, one in two months and the other after four months. Full recovery was made by 66.6%.
CONCLUSIONS Based on their review of the literature and own practical experience, the authors recommend conservative treatment for fractures of types I and II, immediate surgical operation for type IIA and for type II when the following conditions are met: displacement of over 4 mm, age of over 40 years and diagnosis made over a week after the injury had occurred.
KeywordsCervical plaster collarOdontoidSpinal-brainstem injuriesTraffic accidentCategoriesNeurocirugíaTraumatismos
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