Classifications of Odontoid Process Fractures: A Systematic Review and Proposal of a New Simplified Classification System Based on Embryology.
Publication/Presentation Date
12-1-2022
Abstract
Odontoid fractures are the most common cervical spine fractures in the elderly. Although many classification systems have been developed for them, the ambiguity in various definitions can potentially lead to misunderstandings. This paper aims to review the terminologies and current classification systems of odontoid fractures and propose a new, simplified anatomical classification. Given the descriptive variability of odontoid fractures in current classifications, we systematically reviewed the literature using PRISMA guidelines querying the National Library of Medicine PubMed database. The initial literature search yielded 175 publications. A total of seven reports met the inclusion criteria and were ultimately included for a full review. The classification systems previously used to categorize fractures of the odontoid process often need to be more transparent, imprecise, and incongruous. To simplify them, a new embryologically accurate system is proposed. A new embryological and anatomically-based system, combining the former systems' specific attributes, allows a more straightforward and adaptable classification of odontoid fractures.
Volume
14
Issue
12
First Page
32520
Last Page
32520
ISSN
2168-8184
Published In/Presented At
Mathkour, M., Cardona, J. J., Chaiyamoon, A., Glynn, R. M., Jenkins, S., Graham, R. A., Johal, J., Gardner, B., Iwanaga, J., Dumont, A. S., & Tubbs, R. S. (2022). Classifications of Odontoid Process Fractures: A Systematic Review and Proposal of a New Simplified Classification System Based on Embryology. Cureus, 14(12), e32520. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.32520
Disciplines
Medicine and Health Sciences
PubMedID
36654633
Department(s)
Department of Medicine, Fellows and Residents
Document Type
Article