[Radiologic aspects of traumatic lesions of the cervico-occipital junction].
BACKGROUND
Traumatic lesions of cervical spine are common, but those of the cervico-occipital junction are less frequent but more serious.


OBJECTIVE
Evaluate the radiological aspects of cervico occipital Junction traumatisms.


METHODS
It is a retrospective study of 32 files of cervico occipital junction traumatisms, collected from January 1995 to December 2004. Imaging methods used were: conventional radiography and computed tomography.


RESULTS
Cervico occipital junction traumatisms were less common. They account for 12.7% of cervical spine traumatisms and 0.64% of the admissions. Patients mean age was of 36 years with a male predominance of 81%. Main etiologies were public highway accidents (66%), falls (7%), sports accidents (6%). Bone lesions were most frequent, dominated by fractures of the axis (58%), followed by those of the atlas (24%) and of the occipital bone (5%). Dislocations were observed in 10 patients. Basilar print was observed in two patients who deceased. Polytrauma was observed in 34% of the patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Cervico occipital junction traumatisms are severe and uncommon in hospitals because of their high lethality. CT is most effective for analyzing lesions.
Service de radiologie, C.H.U. de Bouaké. ndrik@ci.refer.org
K
K
N'Dri
S
S
Coulibaly
K B F
KB
Kouassi
G
G
Varlet
I
I
Konate
G C
GC
Gbazy
B C
BC
Abby
D000058:Accidental Falls; D000063:Accidents, Traffic; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000150:complications; D001269:Atlanto-Occipital Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000293:injuries*; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000293:injuries*; D002648:Child; D006259:Craniocerebral Trauma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D004204:Joint Dislocations / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008297:Male; D008499:Medical Records; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed