Report of two cases of high cervical injury: an adequate functional result with timely surgical management




Antonio Sosa-Nájera, Department of Neurosurgery, Grupo Neurológico de Alta Especialidad, Hospital Ángeles Morelia, Morelia, Michoacán, Mexico
Abrahan A. Tafur-Grandett, Department of Neurosurgery, Centro Médico “Lic. Adolfo López Mateos”, Instituto de Salud del Estado de México, Toluca, Estado de México. Mexico
Alejandro Ceja-Espinosa, Department of Neurosurgery, Grupo Neurológico de Alta Especialidad, Hospital Ángeles Morelia, Morelia, Michoacán, Mexico
Raúl Huato-Reyes, Department of Neurosurgery, Grupo Neurológico de Alta Especialidad, Hospital Ángeles Morelia, Morelia, Michoacán, Mexico
Jorge Ortega-Espino, Department of Neurosurgery, Centro Médico “Lic. Adolfo López Mateos”, Instituto de Salud del Estado de México, Toluca, Estado de México. Mexico


Introduction: Odontoid fractures correspond to 9-15% of cervical spine fractures. Atlas fracture is rare (3-13%)8. Case presentation: Male with Anderson and D´Alonzo Type II Odontoid fracture with unstable fragment treated with occipitocervical fixation with occipital plate, C2-C3 transfacet screws; Female with type E Jefferson fracture + anterolateral atloaxial dislocation, treated with occipitocervical fixation, C2-C3-C4 transfacet screws. Discussion: Anderson and D’Alonzo Type II fractures and Jefferson type E fractures are a surgical emergency due to instability and neurological deficit.



Keywords: Type II odontoid fracture. Jefferson fracture. Spinal cord trauma. Occipitocervical fixation. Posterior cervical instrumented fusión.