title: [Cervical spine trauma in patients with trisomy 21].
abstract: Atlantoaxial subluxation is predominantly found in trisomy 21. While neurological symptoms occur less frequently, fatal atlantoaxial instability with spinal cord compression has been described in trisomy 21 after minor trauma of the cervical spine. Presenting a special case we could demonstrate that atlantoaxial instability has to be ruled out in patients with trisomy 21 suffering from acute cervical spine trauma. We further recommend primary posterior fusion if the biomechanical stability of the atlantoaxial complex remains unclear after clinical and radiological exploration.
authors.affiliation: Klinik und Poliklinik für Chirurgie, Abteilung für Unfall- und Wiederherstellungschirurgie, Universitätsklinikum Eppendorf, Martinistrasse 52, 20246 Hamburg. briem@uke.uni-hamburg.de
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Briem
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Linhart
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: von Kroge
authors.forename: N M
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Meenen
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Rueger
mesh_terms: D001268:Atlanto-Axial Joint / Q000293:injuries*; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000293:injuries*; D004314:Down Syndrome / Q000150:complications*; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal; D006801:Humans; D004204:Joint Dislocations / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography; D013117:Spinal Cord Compression / Q000209:etiology; D016103:Spinal Fractures / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D013123:Spinal Fusion; D013124:Spinal Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery