Odontoid fracture

Changed by Tim Luijkx, 27 Sep 2015

Updates to Article Attributes

Body was changed:

Odontoid process fracture (also,also known as the PEG or dens fracture) occurs, occurs where there is a fracture through the odontoid process of C2.

Pathology

The mechanism of injury is variable, and can occur both during flexion or extension with or without compression 5

Classification

The commonest classification of these fractures is the Anderson and D'Alonzo classification 5:

  • type I
    • rare
    • fracture of the upper part of the odontoid peg
    • above the level of the transverse band of the cruciform ligament
    • usually considered stable
  • type II
    • most common
    • fracture at the base of the odontoid
    • below the level of the transverse band of the cruciform ligament
    • unstable
    • high risk of non-union
  • type III
    • through the odontoid and into the lateral masses of C2
    • relatively stable if not excessively displaced
    • best prognosis for healing because of the larger surface area of the fracture

Differential diagnosis

  • -<p><strong>Odontoid process fracture</strong> (also known as the <strong>PEG</strong> or <strong>dens fracture</strong>) occurs where there is a fracture through the <a href="/articles/odontoid-process">odontoid process</a> of <a href="/articles/c2">C2</a>.</p><h4>Pathology</h4><p>The mechanism of injury is variable, and can occur both during flexion or extension with or without compression <sup>5</sup>. </p><h5>Classification</h5><p>The commonest classification of these fractures is the Anderson and D'Alonzo classification <sup>5</sup>:</p><ul>
  • +<p><strong>Odontoid process fracture</strong>,<strong> </strong>also known as the <strong>PEG</strong> or <strong>dens fracture</strong>, occurs where there is a fracture through the <a href="/articles/odontoid-process">odontoid process</a> of <a href="/articles/c2">C2</a>.</p><h4>Pathology</h4><p>The mechanism of injury is variable, and can occur both during flexion or extension with or without compression <sup>5</sup>. </p><h5>Classification</h5><p>The commonest classification of these fractures is the Anderson and D'Alonzo classification <sup>5</sup>:</p><ul>

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