Citation

Howcroft AJ, Jenkins DH. J. Bone Joint Surg. Br. 1977; 59(1): 93-94.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1977, British Editorial Society of Bone and Joint Surgery)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

845237

Abstract

The case is reported of an elderly man with asymptomatic cervical spondylosis who sustained a minor hyperextension injury of the cervical spine when the brakes of a car were applied suddenly to avoid a collision. Within six hours marked swelling of the neck and severe dyspnoea developed, and a lateral radiograph showed the pharyngeal shadow displaced far forwards and a crack fracture of an anterior osteophyte. Tracheostomy and evacuation of a massive prevertebral haematoma were performed, with immediate relief. The case draws attention to the possibility of this serious complication of a "whiplash" type of injury.

Language: en