COMPLETE DISLOCATION WITH BURST FRACTURE OF THE LOWER CERVICAL-SPINE - CASE-REPORT

A patient with a complete fracture dislocation of the C6 vertebra with out any neurological deficit is presented. The absence of neurological changes in an area of the spinal canal which is almost completely fil led with the spinal cord is remarkable. The mechanism of injury in thi s patient is believed to be hyperextension associated with significant axial loading. Hyperextension first ruptured the anterior and the pos terior longitudinal ligaments and then injured the pedicles of C6. The associated axial loading resulted in a 'bursting' of the posterior el ements, thereby providing room for the spinal cord to move dorsally wi th the avoidance of a major neurological deficit.