Is there an association between fractures of the cervical spine and first-and second-rib fractures?

Objective: To investigate a potential association between cervical spine in jury and first- and second-rib fractures. Methods: Retrospective review of the radiologic and medical records of 28 consecutive patients admitted to a n acute spinal injury unit. Results: A total of 10 (36%) of the patients wi th cervical spine trauma also had fractures of either the first or second r ibs. Eight of these 10 patients had a fracture or fracture-subluxation of t he seventh cervical vertebra or the C6/7 segment. Conclusion: Almost one-th ird of patients with traumatic cervical spine injury have an associated upp er-rib fracture. The strongest association is between injury at the C7 leve l and first-rib fracture.