[Double fracture of the spine. A case report]

A case of fracture dislocation of the dorsolumbar junction together with a dislocation of the cervical spine, complicated by a head injury, is presented. The patient escaped any neurological damage. It is stressed that unstable spinal injuries often present without any leading neurological signs. A high index of suspicion and routine clinical and radiological examination of the entire spine in all patients with head and neck injuries is essential to prevent the tragedy of permanent spinal cord injuries.