title: Respiratory failure due to a displaced fracture of the odontoid.
abstract: Fractures of the odontoid peg are relatively common in elderly people. Often they are minimally displaced and can be treated with a collar. However, a fracture which is displaced significantly may be difficult to manage. We describe the case of an 80-year-old man with a fracture of the odontoid peg which was completely displaced and caused respiratory distress. After initial closed reduction and application of a halo jacket, open and internal fixation was undertaken and relieved his symptoms. It is a safe and effective way to manage this injury.
authors.affiliation: Peninsula Spine Unit, Princess Elizabeth Orthopaedic Centre Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, Barrack Road, Exeter EX2 5DW, UK. kluver_bucy@hotmail.com
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Clarke
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Hutton
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Chan
mesh_terms: D000062:Accidents, Occupational; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000379:methods; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009809:Odontoid Process / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries*; D012131:Respiratory Insufficiency / Q000209:etiology*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed