Management of Neglected Upper Cervical Spine Injuries

Injuries involving upper cervical spine are serious and fatal injuries which are associated with alteration of normal occipital-cervical anatomy. These injuries may result in permanent neurologic deficits or neck deformity if not treated in a timely and appropriate manner.

To evaluate the outcomes of neglected upper cervical spine injuries treated by various methods.

Retrospective study.

Twelve patients attending ER or OPD with a history of neck trauma and who were diagnosed with fractures and fracture dislocations C1 and C2 were included in the study. Fresh injuries sustained within a week were excluded from study. The outcomes were measured in terms of improvement in VAS, ODI Scores and correction of the neck deformity. Surgical parameters like duration of surgery and blood loss were also observed.

Eleven males and one female. The mean age was 40.9 ± 16.9 (07-67 years). Eleven patients underwent posterior instrumentation, while one patient was treated anteriorly. The mean delay in presentation was 28 ± 8.67 days (15-42 days). The mean duration of surgery was 188.3 ± 34.35 min (120-240 min), average blood loss was 350 ± 111.8 ml (150-600 ml). The mean VAS improved from 8.45 ± 0.89 to 3.9 ± 0.51 (p < 0.05). The mean ODI Pre-operatively was 88.45 ± 5.89 which improved to 31.9 ± 4.01 (p < 0.05). The neck deformity/torticollis was corrected in all the patients.

Neglected upper cervical spine injuries are difficult to treat and a posterior approach is helpful in reducing the subluxations indirectly and to obtain a posterior fusion.