• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.55 no.4
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• pp.212-214
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• 2014

The synchondrosis between the dens and the body of axis normally fuses between 5 and 7 years of age. Until this age, synchondrosis fractures can occur in children. Most synchondrosis fractures are conventionally treated by external immobilization alone. We report a 10-year-old child with odontoid synchondrosis fracture who was treated by C1 lateral mass and C2 pars screw rod fixation with a successful outcome and discuss the possible reasons for occurrence of odontoid synchondrosis fracture in this older child as well as the indications for surgery in this condition.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.49 no.6
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• pp.345-350
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• 2011

Objective : It is debatable whether an anterior oblique fracture orientation is really a contraindication to anterior odontoid screw fixation. The purpose of this study was to investigate the feasibility of anterior odontoid screw fixation of type II and rostral shallow type III fracture with an anterior oblique fracture orientation. Methods : The authors evaluated 16 patients with type II and rostral shallow type III odontoid fracture with an anterior oblique fracture orientation. Of these 16 patients, 8 (group 1) were treated by anterior odontoid screw fixation, and 8 (group 2) by a posterior C1-2 arthrodesis. Results : Of the 8 patients in group 1, seven patients achieved solid bone fusion (87.5%), and one experienced screw back-out of the C-2 body two months after anterior screw fixation. All patients treated by posterior C1-C2 fusion in group 2 achieved successful bone fusion. Mean fracture displacements and fracture gaps were not significantly different in two groups. (p=0.075 and 0.782). However, mean fracture orientation angles were $15.3{\pm}3.2$ degrees in group 1, and $28.6{\pm}8.1$ degrees in group 2 (p=0.002), and mean fragment angulations were $3.2{\pm}2.1$ degrees in group 1, and $14.8{\pm}3.7$ degrees in group 2 (p=0.001). Conclusion : Even when the fracture lines of type II and rostral shallow type III fractures are oriented in an anterior oblique direction, anterior odontoid screw fixation can be feasible in carefully selected patients with a relatively small fracture orientation angle and relatively small fragment angulation.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.37 no.5
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• pp.345-349
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• 2005

Objective: Anterior screw fixation provides the best anatomical and functional results for type II odontoid process fracture (type II-A, II-N, and II-P) with intact transverse ligament. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the usefulness of the 4.5mm diameter, cannulated Herbert screw in anterior screw fixation. Methods: From Jan. 2003 to Feb. 2004, consecutive 10cases of type II odontoid process fractures were treated with anterior screw fixation using a Herbert screw. The Herbert screw has double threads, with different pitches on the distal and proximal ends. It has no head, so it can be inserted through articular cartilage and buried below bone surface. It was originally developed for treating scaphoid fractures. Results: There were 8male and 2female patients whose ages ranged from 15 to 67years (mean 42.1years). The fracture type was type II-A in 4patients, II-N in 3 patients, and II-P in 3 patients. The fracture line was oblique downward and backward in 6cases, oblique downward and forward in 1 case, and horizontal in 3cases. The range of follow-up was 5 to 18months (mean 12months). Bone fusions were achieved in all cases without any instrumental failures or postoperative complications. Conclusion: The Herbert screw is very useful in anterior fixation for type II odontoid process fracture. This series showed successful results also in type II-A odontoid fracture when treated with the Herbert screw, but further more studies are required.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.29 no.11
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• pp.1461-1468
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• 2000

Objective : The aim of this study is to evaluate clinical outcome of anterior screw fixation for type II odontoid fractures for the prliematim of atlanatoaxial mobility. Methods : Between 1995 and 1999, we treated 15 cases of type II odontoid fractures by anterior screw fixation among 44 cases of odontoid fractures. Thece included 14 males and 1 female aged from 23 to 63 years, with a mean age of 39.7 years. The causes of trauma were traffic accident in 13 cases, slip down in 1 and fall down in 1. The fracture type was type II-P in 7 cases, type II-A in 3, type II-N in 2 and type II-A and P in 3. The fracture line was oblique downward and backward in 6 cases, oblique downward and forward in 3 and horizontally in 6. The range of follow up was 4 to 47 months(mean 26.5 months). Results : Adequate reduction and fixation were obtained in 12 cases. Three cases in which fracture type and line were type II-A and oblique downward forward were failed, so posterior transarticular screw fixation was performed. All except 3 failed cases had adequate cervical movement and stability. There were no operative mortality nor morbidity. Conclusion : Anterior screw fixation provides the best anatomical and functional results for type II odontoid fracture with intact transverse ligament when fracture line is horizontal or oblique downward and backward. But it is limited when fracture line is oblique downward and forward.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.48 no.5
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• pp.452-454
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• 2010

Traumatic atlantoaxial rotatory fixation (AARF) with accompanying odontoid and C2 articular facet fracture is a very rare injury, and only one such case has been reported in the medical literature. We present here a case of a traumatic AARF associated with an odontoid and comminuted C2 articular facet fracture, and this was treated with skull traction and halo-vest immobilization for 3 months. After removal of the halo-vest immobilization, his neck pain was improved and his neck motion was preserved without any neurologic deficits although mild torticolis was still observed in closer inspection.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.50 no.1
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• pp.17-22
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• 2011

Objective : In the present study, authors retrospectively reviewed the clinical outcomes of halo-vest immobilization (HVI) versus surgical fixation in patients with odontoid fracture after either non-surgical treatment (HVI) or with surgical fixation. Methods : From April 1997 to December 2008, we treated a total of 60 patients with upper cervical spine injuries. This study included 31 (51.7%) patients (22 men, 9 women; mean age, 39.3 years) with types II and III odontoid process fractures. The average follow-up was 25.1 months. We reviewed digital radiographs and analyzed images according to type of injury and treatment outcomes, following conservative treatment with HVI and surgical management with screw fixation. Results : There were a total of 31 cases of types II and III odontoid process fractures (21 odontoid type II fractures, 10 type III fractures). Fifteen patients underwent HVI (10 type II fractures, 5 type III fractures). Nine (60%) out of 15 patients who underwent HVI experienced successful healing of odontoid fractures. The mean period for bone healing was 20.2 weeks. Sixteen patients underwent surgery including anterior screw fixation (6 cases), posterior C1-2 screw fixation (8), and transarticular screw fixation (2) for healing the odontoid fractures (11 type II fractures, 5 type III fractures). Fifteen (93.8%) out of 16 patients who underwent surgery achieved healing of cervical fractures. The average bone healing time was 17.6 weeks. Conclusion : The overall healing rate was 60% after HVI and 93.8% with surgical management. Patients treated with surgery showed a higher fusion rate and shorter bony healing time than patients who received HVI. However, prospective studies are needed in the future to define better optimal treatment and cost-effective perspective for the treatment of odontoid fractures.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.411-415
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• 2023

An odontoid process fracture is a serious type of cervical spine injury. This injury is categorized into three types based on the location of the fracture. Severe or even fatal neurological deficits can occur due to associated cord injury, which can result in complete quadriplegia. Computed tomography is the primary diagnostic tool, while magnetic resonance imaging is used to evaluate any associated cord injuries. These injuries can occur either directly from the injury or during transportation to the hospital if mishandled. There are two main treatment approaches: surgical fixation or external nonsurgical fixation, with various types and models of fixation devices available. In this case study, computed tomography follow-up confirmed that external fixation can yield successful results in terms of complete healing, even in cases complicated by other factors that may impede healing, such as pregnancy.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.87-92
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• 2023

A 7-year-old dog weighing 3.9 kg visited the hospital with symptoms of inability to stand and quadriparesis. There were seizure symptoms 2 months before admission to the hospital, and the symptoms of stiffness and rigidity appeared. Radiographs showed normal vertebrae in cervical vertebral column. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) were performed immediately to diagnose vertebral lameness. As a result of the CT, it was possible to observe the fracture of the odontoid process of the axis, and the exact location of the damage was identified. The odontoid process was fractured and separated from the body of the 2^nd cervical vertebra (axis), and fragment of the process was observed inside the vertebral arch of the first cervical vertebra (atlas), and the body of the axis was lifted to the dorsal side. The MRI examination reflected the CT findings and confirmed severe spinal cord compression due to the fracture of the odontoid process. The patient was applied by neck brace and medical management including Mycophenolate mofetil administration was performed. The patient was able to move legs and tail after 2 weeks, and was able to voluntarily defecate, urinate and stand up after 4 weeks of administration.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.164-172
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• 2006

Background: The authors conducted a retrospective study to evaluate the mechanism of injury, the surgical techniques, the clinical features, the combined injuries, the treatment results, and the surgical complications in patients with atlantoaxial fracture/subluxations. Methods: The authors reviewed 71 cervical fracture/dislocations during a four-year period from September 2002 to August 2006. Among them, there were twenty one C1,2 fracture/subluxations. There were thirteen men (mean age : 43.5 years) and eight women (mean age : 50 years). Their follow-up period was at least 6 months, and the mean follow-up period was 9.6 months. Gardner-Wells tongs traction was used in all patients immediately on presentation. Surgical treatment was performed, depending on the pathologic conditions. Results: Of all 21 cases, 14 cases were injured in motor vehicle accidents, 5 were falls, and 2 were miscellaneous. There were four C1 fracture (5.6%), fourteen C2 fracture (66.7%), one C1 and 2 combined fracture (4.8%), and one C1-2 subluxation (4.8%). The C1 fractures in our series were classified as two Jefferson's fractures and two C1 lateral mass fracture. The C2 fractures were classified as one odontoid type I fracture, two odontoid type II fractures, five odontoid type III fractures, one hangman's fracture, and four C2 body tear-drop fractures. Atlantoaxial fractures were associated with six (28.6%) head injuries, four (19.0%) other spinal injuries, two (9.5%) chest injuries, and three (14.3%) spinal cord injuries. Surgical treatment was performed in nine cases, which included anterior odontoid screw fixation in two cases, transarticular screw fixation with iliac bone graft in one case, posterior fixation by using C2 pedicle screw and C3 lateral mass screw in three cases, lateral mass screw fixation C1-2 with iliac bone graft in one case, O(occipito)-C1-3-4 screw fixation in one case, posterior C2-3 wiring with allograft in one case, and halo vest in six cases. Conservative management was used in the rest of the patients in our trials. Bone fusion was complete in all cases. There were no operation-related complication, except one pin site infection in the case of halo vest. Conclusion: In this study, the choice of appropriate treatment according to the fracture types resulted in safe and effective management of unique atlantoaxial fracture/subluxations.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.67 no.1
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• pp.6-13
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• 2024

The integrity of the high cervical spine, the transition zone from the brainstem to the spinal cord, is crucial for survival and daily life. The region protects the enclosed neurovascular structure and allows a substantial portion of the head motion. Injuries of the high cervical spine are frequent, and the fractures of the C2 vertebra account for approximately 17-25% of acute cervical fractures. We review the two major types of C2 vertebral fractures, odontoid fracture and Hangman's fracture. For both types of fractures, favorable outcomes could be obtained if the delicately selected conservative treatment is performed. In odontoid fractures, as the most common fracture on the C2 vertebrae, anterior screw fixation is considered first for type II fractures, and C1-2 fusion is suggested when nonunion is a concern or occurs. Hangman's fractures are the second most common fracture. Many stable extension type I and II fractures can be treated with external immobilization, whereas the predominant flexion type IIA and III fractures require surgical stabilization. No result proves that either anterior or posterior surgery is superior, and the surgeon should decide on the surgical method after careful consideration according to each clinical situation. This review will briefly describe the basic principles and current treatment concepts of C2 fractures.