FRACTURE OF THE ODONTOID PEG IN ANKYLOSING-SPONDYLITIS - CASE-REPORT

Fractures in patients with ankylosing spondylitis tend to affect the l ower cervical spine. We describe a 50-year-old man who sustained fract ures of the odontoid peg and body of the second cervical vertebra afte r a hyperextension injury. In absence of atlanto-occipital fusion, def ormity from previous lower cervical spine injury may have contributed to susceptibility for this very rare combination of fractures. The pat ient was treated surgically with a good result.