Extreme dislocation of the cervical spine-case report

Area of Science:

• Neurosurgery
• Trauma Surgery
• Spinal Cord Injury Research

Background:

• Subaxial cervical spine injuries are uncommon, with extreme dislocations posing significant management challenges.
• Traumatic spinal cord transection requires prompt and precise clinical assessment and surgical planning.

Observation:

• A 22-year-old patient sustained a severe C6/C7 dislocation with spinal cord transection after a traffic accident.
• The patient presented with immediate signs of spinal shock, necessitating urgent evaluation.

Findings:

• Multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) confirmed the severe traumatic C6/C7 dislocation and spinal cord transection.
• Surgical treatment decisions involved complex considerations regarding timing and approach, with a posterior approach chosen initially.

Implications:

• This case underscores the critical need for individualized, multidisciplinary assessment in managing rare and severe spinal cord injuries.
• The fatal outcome emphasizes the challenges and often poor prognosis associated with extreme cervical spine dislocations and complete spinal cord transection.