title: Hangman's fracture.
abstract: Of four hangman's fractures of the axis, three occurred in road accidents and were stable, undisplaced and free of neurological signs, with full recovery after six to twelve weeks in a cervical collar. The fourth fracture occurred in a fall with profound tetraparesis from haemorrhage into the spinal cord, and the patient died a week later. There are two types of hangman's fracture: that of the axis pedicle, which results from extension and compression of the cervical column, is more common than usually supposed because of the slight symptoms it causes.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001368:Axis, Cervical Vertebra / Q000293:injuries*; D001915:Braces; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005592:Fracture Fixation; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012146:Rest; D013123:Spinal Fusion; D013124:Spinal Injuries / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy; D013165:Splints; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D014143:Traction