title: Hangman's fracture.
abstract: The injury known as hangman's fracture is described. The patients seen in Belfast with this injury over the past 20 years are reviewed. It is noted that there is disagreement in the literature over the best form of treatment and we strongly advocate the case for conservative management. We also put forward a simple explanation for the absence of neurological sequelae associated with the accidental form of this injury.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001368:Axis, Cervical Vertebra / Q000293:injuries*; D005260:Female; D005592:Fracture Fixation; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000628:therapy*; D005596:Fractures, Closed / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D014143:Traction