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Harris or axis ring: an aid in diagnosing low (type 3) odontoid fractures
L J Mortelmans1, E A Geusens, M B Sabbe
1Department of Emergency Medicine, University Hospital Gasthuisberg, Leuven, Belgium.
Objective:
To present our experience of diagnosing fractures of the odontoid process on lateral radiographs of the cervical spine that show the Harris (axis) ring.
Design:
Retrospective study.
Setting:
Teaching hospital, Belgium.
Subjects:
12 patients with multiple injuries, including cervical spine, 8 of them unconscious or uncooperative.
Interventions:
Cross table lateral view of the cervical spine.
Main Outcome Measure:
Identification of otherwise hidden type 3 axial fractures.
Results:
Diagnosis of low odontoid fractures in all cases.
Conclusion:
The Harris ring is disrupted in low odontoid fractures and intact in fractures of the odontoid process. Awareness of this sign will allow diagnosis of otherwise hidden axial fractures.