What are the complications of traumatic anterior spondylolisthesis?

summary

Traumatic anterior spondylolisthesis of the axis refers to bilateral pedicle fractures of the axis with or without anterior spondylolisthesis. In 1866, Haughton first discovered and described the injury on a criminal who was hanged. This kind of injury often manifested as anterior dislocation of the axis, so it was called "traumatic anterior spondylolisthesis of the axis". The choice of treatment depends on the stability of the fracture. What are the complications of traumatic anterior spondylolisthesis?

What are the complications of traumatic anterior spondylolisthesis?

The most common chief complaint was neck pain and stiffness, followed by numbness and weakness. The history of trauma was clear, often car accident or fall. Another clinical feature is combined head and maxillofacial injuries, located in the forehead or chin, mostly skin contusion. Sometimes there may be other vertebral bodies and fractures with bone.

Including cervical conventional film and sectional film. The diagnosis of traumatic anterior spondylolisthesis of the axis mainly depends on lateral radiographs. The lateral film can clearly show the fracture line and the angle of displacement. According to this, the imaging diagnosis of fracture type can be made. The typical X-ray manifestation is bilateral axial pedicle fracture, the fracture line is vertical or oblique, the axial vertebral body may have different degrees of displacement and angular deformity. In addition, it is necessary to pay attention to whether there are concomitant fractures of atlas and lower cervical vertebra, and to the possibility of congenital defect of axis pedicle or cartilage connection in infants.

In the whole cervical spine fracture and dislocation, traumatic anterior axis sliding accounted for 4% - 7%. Sometimes the injury is more complex, accompanied by multiple injuries, especially when there is obvious fatal non neck injury, it will attract the attention of doctors, and cause the cervical spine injury to be ignored. To master the action point and direction of violence, combined with imaging examination, to judge the injury mechanism, and to guide the choice of treatment plan, the diagnosis should include: ① classification of fracture; ② Whether there is nerve injury or not; ③ Whether there are concomitant injuries; ④ Whether it is multiple injury.

matters needing attention

The choice of treatment depends on the stability of the fracture. Most patients with traumatic anterior spondylolisthesis can obtain a solid bone union with minimal deformity by non-surgical treatment, and the incidence of non fusion is very low.