[Errors in diagnosis and treatment of injuries of cervical vertebrae]

An analysis of diagnostic and therapeutic errors is presented based on observations of 264 patients with injuries to the cervical spine and their sequelae. Errors in interpretation of x-ray films could arise through improper knowledge of the roentgenological picture of cervical vertebrae, especially of the first and second. In clinics of general surgery skeletal extension is employed only in limited cases, whereas in applying the Glisson loop axial deformities of the spine could be eliminated but not always to a full extent. Errors in estimating the capacity for work result in development of post-traumatic insufficiency of the cervical spine and osteochondrosis.