Quadraplegia in a patient with an undiagnosed odontoid peg fracture. The importance of cervical spine immobilisation in patients with head injuries.
A 59 year old man was found collapsed and unconscious, tracheal intubation was performed without immobilisation of the cervical spine. Examination revealed signs of spinal cord transection with quadraplegia and a lateral cervical spine radiograph showed a displaced fracture of the odontoid peg. This case reinforces the importance of appropriate cervical spine management in all victims of trauma especially those with head injuries and is particularly relevant to the military situation.
Powell
R M
RM
Department of Anaesthetics, Cambridge Military Hospital, Aldershot, Hampshire.
Heath
K J
KJ
D002574:Cervical Vertebrae; D006259:Craniocerebral Trauma / Q000150:complications*; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D007103:Immobilization; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008889:Military Personnel; D009809:Odontoid Process / Q000293:injuries*; D011782:Quadriplegia / Q000209:etiology*; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000209:etiology*