title: [RESEARCH PROGRESS OF DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF HANGMAN FRACTURE].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To review the research progress of the diagnosis and treatment of Hangman fracture.
  
  
  METHODS
  The original articles about the diagnosis and treatment of Hangman fracture were extensively reviewed and analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Not only X-ray, but also MRI and CT scans are necessory for the diagnosis and assessment of Hangman fractures. The treatment of unstable Hangman fracture included posterior C2, C3 fixation, anterior C2, C3 fixation, and anterior C2, C3 fixation combined with posterior C2 pedicle screw fixation. The anterior surgical fixation is used by the anterior retropharyngeal approach or subaxial anterior approach, and it has the advantages of directly resecting the injured C2, C3 discs, getting a satisfactory cervical spine alignment, and avoiding the postoperative axial pain. However, posterior surgical fixation using C2 pedicle screw has the risks of neurovascular injuries.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The surgical technique of Hangman fracture should be determined based on the patient's injury and surgeon's experience. Randomized control trials of different surgical techniques should be performed.
authors.forename: Baocheng
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Xianhua
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Cai
authors.forename: Ran
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ding
authors.forename: Hui
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kang
mesh_terms: D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D019838:Neck Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D065289:Pedicle Screws; D016103:Spinal Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D013123:Spinal Fusion; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome