Jefferson fractures of the immature spine. Report of 3 cases.
Jefferson fractures of the immature spine have received little attention in the study of pediatric spinal trauma. Fractures through synchondroses are a possibility in the immature spine, in addition to fractures through osseous portions of the vertebral ring, and they create opportunities for misinterpretation of diagnostic imaging. The authors describe 3 examples of Jefferson fractures in young children. All 3 cases featured fractures through an anterior synchondrosis in association with persistence of the posterior synchondrosis or a fracture of the posterior arch. The possibility of a Jefferson fracture should be considered for any child presenting with neck pain, cervical muscle spasm, or torticollis following a head injury, despite a seemingly normal cervical spine study. Jefferson fractures in young children are probably much more common than previously recognized.
AuYong
Nicholas
N
Section of Neurosurgery, St Christopher's Hospital for Children, and Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19134-1095, USA.
Piatt
Joseph
J
D001268:Atlanto-Axial Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries; D001270:Cervical Atlas / Q000293:injuries*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D017102:Fracture Healing / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D004204:Joint Dislocations / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D009989:Orthotic Devices; D016103:Spinal Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000628:therapy; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed