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ODONTOID FRACTURES, SYSTEMIC DISEASE AND CONSERVATIVE CARE
Author(s) -
Dickson H.,
Engel S.,
Blum P.,
Jones R. F.
Publication year - 1984
Publication title -
australian and new zealand journal of surgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.111
H-Index - 51
eISSN - 1445-2197
pISSN - 0004-8682
DOI - 10.1111/j.1445-2197.1984.tb05311.x
Subject(s) - medicine , radiological weapon , osteoporosis , rheumatoid arthritis , surgery , cervical spondylosis , bed rest , intensive care unit , alternative medicine , pathology
Patients admitted to the Prince Henry Hospital Spinal Unit between January 1982 and January 1983 with a diagnosis of fracture of the odontoid process of the axis were reviewed. There were nine patients representing 20% of all new cervical fractures. The mean age was 64.5 ± 19.3 years. Alcoholism, brain damage following head injury, osteo‐arthritis, cervical spondylosis, rheumatoid arthritis and osteoporosis may be complicating factors in the management of odontoid fractures. A fracture of the odontoid in an elderly patient with a history of minimal trauma suggests osteoporosis. Early mobilization in a custom‐moulded orthosis with frequent radiological monitoring prevents the complications of prolonged bed rest.