title: Multiple fractures of the axis.
abstract: Multiple fractures of the axis are not common lesions. A retrospective study was performed to identify the different fracture patterns and to analyze the incidence of these injuries and their long-term behavior. The medical records of 674 consecutive patients with fractures of the cervical spine were reviewed. Nine (1%) of 674 patients (6 men and 3 women) had multiple fractures of the axis. Mean patient age was 48 years. The most common lesion was a combination of traumatic spondylolisthesis with either an odontoid process or a teardrop fracture of the axis body. All patients were treated conservatively with an excellent or good outcome at mean 12-year follow-up (range: 2-18 years). Computed tomography was the imaging modality of choice for the correct diagnosis of these rare lesions.
authors.affiliation: First Department of Orthopedics, Athens University Medical School, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Demetrios S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Korres
authors.forename: Panayiotis J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Papagelopoulos
authors.forename: Andreas F
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Mavrogenis
authors.forename: George S
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Sapkas
authors.forename: Antonios
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Patsinevelos
authors.forename: Petros
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kyriazopoulos
authors.forename: Demetrios
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Evangelopoulos
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001368:Axis, Cervical Vertebra / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries*; D005260:Female; D005592:Fracture Fixation / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016103:Spinal Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014143:Traction / Q000379:methods; D016896:Treatment Outcome