These tools will no longer be maintained as of December 31, 2024. Archived website can be found here. PubMed4Hh GitHub repository can be found here. Contact NLM Customer Service if you have questions.


Pubmed for Handhelds

PUBMED FOR HANDHELDS

Search MEDLINE/PubMed

  • Title: Traumatic (type II) odontoid fracture with transverse atlantal ligament injury: a controversial event.
    Author: Debernardi A, D'Aliberti G, Talamonti G, Villa F, Piparo M, Cenzato M.
    Journal: World Neurosurg; 2013; 79(5-6):779-83. PubMed ID: 22381856.
    Abstract:
    OBJECTIVE: Traumatic (Type II) odontoid fractures are very common injuries. Nevertheless, their connection with transverse atlantal ligament injury is controversial and poorly defined. The aim of this study is to report a single case of traumatic (type II) odontoid fracture with transverse atlantal ligament injury and to critically analyze the role of ligaments and membranes together with neuroradiological tools in the management of craniovertebral junction-traumatized patients. METHODS: We report 27 consecutive cases of traumatic (type II) odontoid fractures who underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the acute phase injury (<72 hours), focusing our attention on the transverse atlantal ligament. RESULTS: One patient (3.7%) demonstrated a transverse atlantal ligament injury on MRI. The patient underwent surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Traumatic (type II) odontoid fracture with transverse atlantal ligament avulsion can be considered an unusual event. It is our opinion that the routine use of MRI for all patients with type II odontoid fracture could be unjustified in clinical practice. Strict clinical surveillance of all patients managed conservatively and the use of MRI in selected cases could be a reasonable management option.
    [Abstract] [Full Text] [Related] [New Search]