The incidence of combined facial and cervical spine injuries.
BACKGROUND
The association between facial and cervical spine injuries has been documented. However, only severe spinal injuries were included in previous analyses. It was the purpose of this study to evaluate the incidence of and risk factors for these injury combinations including the complete injury spectrum.


METHODS
Between 1995 and 1997, 4,907 patients with cervical spine injuries were treated at our hospital. One hundred five (2.14%) of these patients had suffered a concomitant facial injury. This group was compared with the group of patients with cervical spine injury but without facial trauma.


RESULTS
The majority of cases (98%) consisted of minor lesions to both regions. With increasing severity of cervical spine trauma, the risk for facial injury increased. Age and male gender represent significant (p < 0.05) risk factors for combined injuries.


CONCLUSIONS
Patients sustaining cervical spine trauma have a small but real chance of injuring their face as well. The cervical spine must be examined carefully, whenever facial injuries are present.
Department of Traumatology, University of Innsbruck, Anichstrasse 35, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria. hacklwol@hotmail.com
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Hackl
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Fink
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Hausberger
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Ulmer
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Gassner
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000293:injuries*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005151:Facial Injuries / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009104:Multiple Trauma / Q000453:epidemiology*; D019838:Neck Injuries / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012307:Risk Factors; D013124:Spinal Injuries / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology