Eingegangcn am 7. Juli 1972
Traumc,~tic Lesions o/ the Cervical Spine with Special Regards to Bone Fractures Summary. 55 individuals with traumatic cervical spine lesions have been examined.
Lesions of the first and second cervical vertebrae are discussed and also injuries to the lower cervical spine.
Symptoms and therapy are shown by means of case-reports. Isolated fractures of the atlas vertebra have been treated by traction. Neurological signs were not seen.
Fractures of the dens epistrophei do not usually show any symptoms. Probability of recovery is low. P~eluxation often appears spontaneously after several years.
When there are signs of a lesion to the medulla spinalis, cervical spine traction has to begin immediately. In some cases a restriction in the vertebral channel can be removed. Neural structures which have not been damaged completely may refunction. When there is no improvement in the neurological status in spite of treatment by traction, especially when there are signs of further compression of the medulla we have an indication of the necessity for a laminectomy to relieve the medulla.
A compression of the medulla may be avoided when fracture-dislocation is associated with fractures of the arcus vertebrae.