title: Hangman's fracture in head injury.
abstract: Five patients with fracture of pedicle of axis vertebra as a complication of head injury are reported. The ages of the patients ranged from 16-25 years and all of them were victims of road traffic accidents. The head injuries were moderately severe requiring admission. The average Glasgow Coma Scale sum on admission was 11. Simple non-operative management in a well padded stiff collar with sand bags supporting the head in a neutral position in bed resulted in full recovery without complication after an average of 4 weeks recumbency.
authors.forename: P F
authors.initials: PF
authors.lastname: Umebese
authors.forename: F A
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Orhewere
mesh_terms: D000063:Accidents, Traffic; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001368:Axis, Cervical Vertebra / Q000293:injuries*; D005260:Female; D015600:Glasgow Coma Scale; D006784:Hospitals, Teaching; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009549:Nigeria; D011859:Radiography; D013124:Spinal Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology