[Classification of upper cervical fractures: a review]

Abstract

Upper cervical fracture-dislocations are series of pathological injuries occurred in occipital, atlas and axis caused by traumatic impact, which often results in severe clinical consequences, such as paraplegia, quadriplegia, and even death. In light of the potential severe clinical outcomes, it is important to define the type of upper cervical fracture-dislocations depending on which the clinician can deal with the disease properly. Owing to its specific anatomical structures, the upper cervical fractures occurr to the unique osseous structures or ligamentous connections always present in predictable patterns. Common fracture include occipital condylar fracture, atlanto-occipital dislocation, atlas fracture, and the three types of fractures of axis, including odontoid fracture, Hangman's fracture and axis body fracture. In this paper we will review the literatures about the classification and management of upper cervical fracture, to help the clinicians to treat their patients better.

Keywords: Cervical vertebrae; Classification; Spinal fractures; Therapeutics.