[Surgical management of a dens fracture in a 3-year-old child. Clinical case report and discussion with reference to the literature].
Because of the special features of subdental synchondrosis, fracture of the odontoid process in childhood can be seen as a separate entity. Among the rare fractures of the cervical spine in children this type is the most common. Ontogenetically, the subdental synchondrosis must be regarded as an intervertebral disc and not as a growth plate. Usually conservative treatment with a halo fixateur or minerva jacket leads to consolidation. We report on the case of a 3-year-old boy with a fracture of the odontoid process who was treated operatively with anterior log screw fixation because of extensive anterior dislocation and tetraplegia. Five months after the operation bony consolidation was achieved and the screws could be removed. Full neurological recovery had occurred by this time.
Klinik für Unfallchirurgie, Philipps-Universität Marburg.
A
A
Junge
L
L
Gotzen
F
F
Wiemers
D001863:Bone Screws; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000379:methods*; D017102:Fracture Healing / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009460:Neurologic Examination; D009809:Odontoid Process / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011859:Radiography; D016103:Spinal Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*
Operative Versorgung einer Densfraktur bei 3jährigem Kind. Klinische Fallbeschreibung und Diskussion anhand der Literatur.