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Updated: Aug 11, 2026
07:35
Creating Rigidly Stabilized Fractures for Assessing Intramembranous Ossification, Distraction Osteogenesis, or Healing of Critical Sized Defects
Published on: April 11, 2012
Odontoid synchondrosis fractures in children
Daniel R Fassett1, Todd McCall, Douglas L Brockmeyer
1Department of Neurosurgery, Primary Children's Medical Center, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah 84113, USA.
Neurosurgical Focus
|March 4, 2006
Summary
Odontoid synchondrosis fractures are common in young children and often present with anterior displacement. Conservative treatment leads to high fusion rates, making it the recommended approach for most pediatric cases.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Orthopedics
- Spinal Trauma
- Pediatric Neurosurgery
Background:
- Odontoid synchondrosis fractures are rare in general spinal trauma but common in young children.
- These fractures require careful diagnosis and management due to potential neurological deficits.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate demographic data, neurological deficits, treatment strategies, and outcomes of odontoid synchondrosis fractures in children.
- To combine institutional data with published literature for a comprehensive analysis.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective chart review of four cases and inclusion of 51 cases from six published series, totaling 55 pediatric patients.
- Data collected included age, sex, diagnosis delay, fracture displacement, neurological deficits, treatment, and fusion status.
Main Results:
- The mean age was 2.8 years (9 months to 7 years); 94% of fractures showed anterior displacement.
- Spinal cord injury (SCI) occurred in 15 patients (27%), with 11 complete injuries.
- External immobilization achieved fusion in 93% (42/45) of patients; surgery was reserved for specific cases.
Conclusions:
- Odontoid synchondrosis fractures are challenging to diagnose in children under 7 with neck pain or neurological deficits.
- Conservative therapy demonstrates a high fusion rate and is recommended for most cases.
- Surgical intervention may be necessary for select individual cases.
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