INTRODUCTION: Controversy exists as to the most effective management option for elderly patients with type II odontoid fractures. Furthermore, outcomes for those patients who do not achieve fusion or fracture healing after treatment remain unclear in the literature. The purpose of this study is to evaluate fracture healing rates, functional outcomes, complications, and mortality associated with...

Common measures to establish spinal immobilisation at the scene of an accident include keeping the patient's head still, applying a rigid cervical collar and transporting the patient on a rigid spinal board to an emergency department. This article reviews the literature about spinal immobilisation practices in emergency settings, including best-practice guidance and papers on immobilisation, im...

Cervical fractures are rare in paediatric population. In younger children, cervical fractures usually occur above the level of C4; whereas in older population, fractures or dislocations more commonly involve the lower cervical spine. Greater elasticity of intervertebral ligaments and also the spinal vertebrae explains why cervical fractures in paediatric ages are rare. The injury usually result...

A review of the literature was conducted to find publications relating to neck collars / rolls and prevention of sports injury, particularly burners and other cervical spine injuries, as well as in preventing excessive motion of the cervical spine. MEDLINE (1970-2005), Cinahl (1982-2005), Alt Health Watch (1990-2005), AMED (1995-2005), and the Index to Chiropractic Literature (1985-2005) databa...

BACKGROUND Vascular risk factors predispose to vertebrobasilar ischemia. Cervical osteophytes can impinge on the vertebral artery causing mechanical occlusion during head turning. Presentation with vertigo in such instances is a common finding. CASE PRESENTATION A patient with obesity, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, cervical spondylosis, and vertigo triggered by head rotation is presented. She...

BACKGROUND /st> Airway Scope is a new videolaryngoscope which requires less cervical movement during intubation than direct laryngoscopy. Thus, in patients wearing a rigid cervical collar, we compared the efficacy of the Airway Scope and the gum elastic bougie with Macintosh laryngoscope during tracheal intubation. METHODS /st> Anaesthesia was induced with propofol, fentanyl, and rocuronium. ...