Publication year: 2012
Source: World Neurosurgery, Available online 31 January 2012
Alberto Debernardi, Giuseppe D'Aliberti, Giuseppe Talamonti, Fabio Villa, Maurizio Piparo, ...
ObjectiveTraumatic (Type II) odontoid fractures are very common injuries, nevertheless their connexion with transverse atlantal ligament injury is controversial and poorly defined.Aim of the study is to report a single case of traumatic (Type II) odontoid fracture with transverse atlantal ligament injury, and to critically analyze the role of ligaments and membranes together with neuro-radiological tools in the management of craniovertebral junction traumatized patients.MethodsWe here report 27 consecutive cases of traumatic (Type II) odontoid fractures underwent to MR imaging in the acute phase (<72 hours), focussing our attention on the transverse atlantal ligament.ResultsOne patient (3,7%) showed a transverse atlantal ligament injury on MRI examination.The patient underwent surgical operative treatment.ConclusionTraumatic (Type II) odontoid fracture with transverse atlantal ligament avulsion can be considered an unusual event. It is our opinion that the routine use of MRI for all patients with Type II odontoid fracture could be unjustified in clinical practice.Whereas, a strict clinical surveillance of all patients managed conservatively and MRI examination for selected cases could be of reasonable management option.
Júlio Leonardo B. Pereira
No comments:
Post a Comment