Presentation
Fall from stairs.
Patient Data
The craniocervical junction is intact. Old nonunited fracture/pseudoarthrosis (type 2 odontoid fracture) with prominent degenerative changes and partial fusion of the odontoid with the anterior arch of C1. Normal spinal alignment preserved. No vertebral acute fractures or facet joint dislocations. Diffuse degenerative changes throughout the cervical spine.
No regions of high-grade spinal canal stenosis. The visible lung apices image normally.
Conclusion: No acute cervical spine fractures or facet joint dislocations. Odontoid pseudarthrosis with prominent degenerative changes (? secondary to prior trauma). Correlation with prior imaging if available would be useful.
Case Discussion
Old non-united fracture/pseudoarthrosis (type 2 odontoid fracture) with prominent degenerative changes and partial fusion of the odontoid with the anterior arch of C1. No vertebral acute fractures or facet joint dislocations.
Studies have shown that the complication rate of odontoid fractures type II in the elderly is similar to both conservative and surgical management. Unfortunately, no previous clinical data was available to check the possible history of odontoid fracture.
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