Cervical Spine Injuries in Children, Part I: Mechanism of Injury, Clinical Presentation, and Imaging

Injuries to the cervical spine can cause potentially devastating morbidity and even mortality. In this review we discuss the anatomy and biomechanics of the cervical spine. The evaluation and treatment of cervical spine injuries begins with the prompt immobilization of suspected injuries in the field. Once an assessment of the patient's neurological status is made, imaging studies are obtained, which can include X-rays, CT, and MRI. Careful scrutiny of the imaging studies for bony and/or ligamentous injury allows the physician to determine the mechanism of injury, which guides treatment. The ultimate treatment plan can consist of non-operative or operative management, and depends on patient specific factors (medical condition and neurological status), the mechanism of injury, and the resultant degree of instability. With prompt diagnosis and appropriate management, the morbidity of these injuries can be minimized.

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Lower Cervical Posterior Element Fractures in the National Football League: A Report of 2 Cases and a Review of the Literature

Neurosurgery ◽

10.1227/neu.0b013e31821815af ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 68 (6) ◽

pp. E1743-E1749 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Mark C. Drakos ◽

Brian T. Feeley ◽

Ronnie Barnes ◽

Mark Muller ◽

T. Pepper Burruss ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cervical Spine ◽

National Football League ◽

Clinical Presentation ◽

Axial Loading ◽

Football Players ◽

Unstable Fracture ◽

Professional Football ◽

Cervical Spine Injuries ◽

Spine Injuries ◽

Posterior Element

Abstract BACKGROUND AND IMPORTANCE: Injuries in professional football players are common because of the nature of the collisions and the frequency of axial loading to the cervical spine. These injuries should be thoroughly evaluated because they can put the player at risk of future injury and even paralysis. The focus of this report is to present 2 cases of this injury and review the current body of literature. CLINICAL PRESENTATION: We present 2 cases of professional football players who experienced injuries to the lower posterior elements of their cervical spine simultaneously on a kickoff during a game. Both players described transient symptoms consistent with a “stinger,” which is commonly encountered. Workup revealed fractures of the lower cervical spine in both patients. One patient was able to be managed conservatively and returned to football the following season. The second patient had an unstable fracture that ultimately required operative intervention, and the patient retired from professional football. CONCLUSION: Cervical spine injuries in football players need to be adequately evaluated, and in many cases can be career threatening. We recommend that players with persistent pain after a transient neurapraxia undergo radiography and computed tomography of the cervical spine to evaluate for a fracture.

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Cervical Spine Injuries in Ocean Bathers: Wave-related Accidents

Neurosurgery ◽

10.1227/01.neu.0000209941.18102.35 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 58 (5) ◽

pp. 920-923 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Luis A. Robles

Keyword(s):

Cervical Spine ◽

Young Patients ◽

Ocean Waves ◽

Neurological Status ◽

Common Mechanism ◽

Mechanism Of Injury ◽

Radiographic Findings ◽

Cervical Spine Injuries ◽

Central Cord Syndrome ◽

Spine Injuries

Abstract OBJECTIVE: Spine injuries can occur secondary to several aquatic recreational activities. A series of cases of patients who experienced cervical spine injuries secondary to ocean waves accidents is presented. A description and analysis of this kind of injury is performed. METHODS: Sixteen patients were treated from January 1999 to May 2005. The mechanism of accident, mechanism of injury, neurological status, radiographic findings, associated injuries, and treatment were analyzed. RESULTS: These injuries are common among older patients. More severe and devastating injuries occurred in young patients. The most common mechanism of injury is hyperextension associated to spondylosis, which usually caused central cord syndrome. CONCLUSION: Wave-related accidents in ocean bathers are secondary to lack of experience of swimming in the ocean and underestimating the danger of waves. Although different types of mechanism of injury occurred, hyperextension was the most common. High-risk patients are older people with preexisting cervical spondylosis.

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Outcome Analysis of Upper versus Lower Cervical Spine Injuries

Indian Journal of Neurotrauma ◽

10.1055/s-0038-1676906 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 15 (02/03) ◽

pp. 100-105

Author(s):

Deepak Kumar Singh ◽

Anuj Chhabra ◽

Rakesh Kumar ◽

Faran Ahmad ◽

Kuldeep Yadav ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cervical Spine ◽

Spine Injury ◽

Upper Cervical Spine ◽

Lower Cervical Spine ◽

Mechanism Of Injury ◽

Cervical Spine Injuries ◽

Time Of Surgery ◽

The Past ◽

Neurologic Status ◽

Spine Injuries

Abstract Back Ground/Objective Cervical spine injuries are considered to be a major trauma and classified in various types. They are associated with various neurologic deficits and mortality rates. They account for 50 to 75% of all spine injuries. Various studies are associated with outcome of spinal cord injuries. Our aim was to analyze outcome of upper and lower cervical spine injuries. Study Design It was a retrospective study in all traumatic cervical spine injuries in all age groups at our center during the past 3 years. Method All cases operated in the past 3 years at our center were taken up for study. Initial hospital records were reviewed. Patients will be divided into two groups on the basis of anatomic level upper (C1 and C2) and lower (C3 or below) cervical spine. Outcomes were analyzed on criteria of demography, mechanism of injury, preoperative neurologic status, involvement of respiratory system, and time of surgery following injury. Result tatically significant test was applied for analysis of outcome of cervical spine injury based on aforementioned criteria. Conclusion In this study, survival rates of patients with upper and lower cervical spine injuries were calculated on the basis of mechanism of injury, preoperative neurologic status, respiratory involvement, and time of surgery following injury. Operative treatment of lower cervical injury was better associated with an improved outcome than upper cervical spine injuries. Further prospective study is required for better assessment.

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Epidemiological study of cervical spine injury in a tertiary care center in South India

International Surgery Journal ◽

10.18203/2349-2902.isj20203528 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 7 (9) ◽

pp. 2895

Author(s):

Prasanth Asher ◽

Jijo Joseph Joseph ◽

Varun Singh Pendro ◽

Anilkumar Peethambaran ◽

Rajmohan Bhanu Prabhakar

Keyword(s):

Cervical Spine ◽

Neck Pain ◽

Cervical Spine Injury ◽

Traffic Accidents ◽

Road Traffic ◽

Spine Injury ◽

Mechanism Of Injury ◽

Road Traffic Accidents ◽

Cervical Spine Injuries ◽

Spine Injuries

Background: Cervical spine injuries, according to severity can leave victims with long standing neck pain or varying degrees of weaknesses. The purpose of this study is to determine the epidemiological pattern of cervical spine injury in our hospital so that comparison may be made with other institutions and guidance regarding management may be formulated for the betterment of patients.Methods: This cross-sectional longitudinal study was conducted in Government Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram and included all patients admitted with clinical or radiological evidence of cervical spine injury, over a period of three months. Semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect socio demographic data and details regarding mechanism of injury. Data was analyzed using SPSS.Results: Out of 452 patients enrolled, 69.7% were males and 30.3% were females. Patients were the most commonly between 30-60 years of age (52.4%). Majority (56.1%) had hospital stays lasting less than 10 days. Most common mechanism of injury was road traffic accidents (46.6%). Neck pain was the most common symptom and cervical spine straightening was the most common radiological abnormality. The severity of injuries was more severe in patients who were not restrained by seat belt or using a helmet.Conclusion: Road traffic accidents are the most common cause for cervical spine injuries and majority of patients required only symptomatic care.

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