Management of delayed posttraumatic cervical kyphosis.
Publication/Presentation Date
1-1-2016
Abstract
We describe three patients with misdiagnosed unstable fractures of the cervical spine, who were treated conservatively and developed kyphotic deformity, myelopathy, and radiculopathy. All three patients were then managed with closed reductions by crown halo traction, followed by instrumented fusions. Their neurologic function was regained without permanent disability in any patient. Unstable fractures of the cervical spine will progress to catastrophic neurologic injuries without surgical fixation. Posttraumatic kyphosis and the delayed reduction of partially healed fracture dislocations by preoperative traction are not well characterized in the subaxial cervical spine. The complete evaluation of any subaxial cervical spine fracture requires CT scanning to assess for bony fractures, and MRI to assess for ligamentous injury. This allows for assessment of the degree of instability and appropriate management. In patients with delayed posttraumatic cervical kyphosis, preoperative closed reduction provided adequate realignment, facilitating subsequent operative stabilization.
Volume
23
First Page
152
Last Page
159
ISSN
1532-2653
Published In/Presented At
Lopez, A. J., Scheer, J. K., Abode-Iyamah, K., Smith, Z. A., Hitchon, P. W., & Dahdaleh, N. S. (2016). Management of delayed posttraumatic cervical kyphosis. Journal of clinical neuroscience : official journal of the Neurosurgical Society of Australasia, 23, 152–159. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jocn.2015.05.040
PubMedID
26321304
Department(s)
Administration and Leadership
Document Type
Article