Citation

Letts M, Davidson D, Healey D. Spine 2002; 27(20): E446-50.

Affiliation

Division of Orthopaedics, Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2002, Lippincott Williams and Wilkins)

DOI

10.1097/01.BRS.0000029269.88508.EB

PMID

12394916

Abstract

STUDY DESIGN: The case of a 14-year-old boy who sustained simultaneous fractures of every cervical vertebra in a high-energy snowmobile accident is reported. OBJECTIVE: To describe a case of multiple cervical spine fractures and their management. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Injuries from all-terrain vehicles and off-road vehicles, including snowmobiles, are increasing in severity and frequency. The reported case illustrates a result of high-impact loading in which the driver struck his head after being thrown from a snowmobile at high speed. METHODS: The 14-year-old boy in the reported case fractured C1-C7, but had no neurologic sequelae. RESULTS: The fractures were treated with a halo vest after traction and reduction of the displaced odontoid fracture. All the fractures healed with no residual cervical instability. CONCLUSIONS: This case report is the first to describe a patient of any age who sustained simultaneous fractures of every cervical vertebra. Treatment with a halo vest was successful in protecting the cervical spine until healing was complete.