FRACTURES OF THE UPPER CERVICAL-SPINE - R EMARKS ON TREATMENT

Over 2 years, 16 patients with a total of 23 lesions of the craniovert ebral junction and the upper cervical spine were treated. Clinically i mportant aspects of diagnosis and classification are outlined. The con ditions treated included fractures of the occipital condyle and atlas, dens-axis, and hanged-man fractures. Standard operative treatment, wh ich has to be modified in cases of combined injuries, is presented. Su rgery is frequently indicated, especially in elderly and polytraumatiz ed patients. In addition, 2 cases of atlanto-occipital dislocation are described: 1 of these patients survived for 5 days after early atlant o-occipital fusion.