TYPICAL AND ATYPICAL FRACTURES OF THE ODONTOID PROCESS IN YOUNG-CHILDREN - REPORT OF 2 CASES AND A REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE

The most common injury to the odontoid process in children under the a ge of seven years is a fracture through the synchondrosis with or with out anterior displacement of the odontoid process, but this is not the only type of fracture of the odontoid process in this age-group. Frac tures above and below the synchondrosis and fractures with posterior d isplacement were described. Typical clinical features of these fractur es are: (1) major and blunt trauma, (2) neck pain and resistance to ac tive and passive head movements; and (3) no or only slight neurologica l deficits, Conservative treatment had excellent results in the majori ty of cases. Nevertheless, there are a few specific indications for su rgery.