JBJS | Article

The Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery, Volume 89, Issue 1

Case Reports | January 01, 2007

Odontoid Process Fracture in Children: Delayed Diagnosis and Successful Conservative Management with a Halo Cast: A Report of Two Cases

Joao O. Tavares, MD¹; Karl F. Frankovitch, MD¹

¹ Shriners Hospitals for Children, 1645 West 8th Street, Erie, PA 16505. E-mail address for J.O. Tavares: jtavares@shrinenet.org

The Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery. 2007; 89:170-176 doi:10.2106/JBJS.F.00239

5 Recommendations (Recommend) | 3 Comments | Saved by 3 Users Save Case

Article

Comments (0)

text A A A

Extract

Odontoid fractures in children younger than seven years of age represent a disruption through the cartilage plate (synchondrosis) that connects the odontoid to the body and neural arches of the axis1,2. Unrecognized and untreated fractures of the odontoid3-5 and acute ligamentous injuries6 in young children may compromise the vascularity of the process, causing the development of an os odontoideum. Because the resulting atlantoaxial instability may be asymptomatic or produce minimal complaints, the diagnosis of an odontoid abnormality can be delayed for several years3-6.

Figures in this Article

Topics

fracture ; odontoid fracture ; delayed diagnosis ; conservative therapy ; halo cast

Username

Password

Access for Patients

Forgot Password?

Have a subscription to the print edition?

Not a Subscriber?

Buy this Article

Get online access for 30 days for $30

New to JBJS?

Subscribe to the online edition for 30 days for $75

Register for a FREE limited account to get full access to all CME activities, to comment on public articles, or to sign up for alerts.

Have a subscription to the print edition?

Current subscribers to The Journal of Bone & Joint Surgery in either the print or quarterly DVD formats receive free online access to JBJS.org.

Activate your online account now

Forgot your password?

Enter your username and email address. We'll send you a reminder to the email address on record.

Username:*

Email Address:*

Forgot your username or need assistance? Please contact customer service at subs@jbjs.org. If your access is provided
by your institution, please contact you librarian or administrator for username and password information. Institutional
administrators, to reset your institution's master username or password, please contact subs@jbjs.org

Accreditation Statement

These activities have been planned and implemented in accordance with the Essential Areas and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint sponsorship of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, Inc. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

CME Activities Associated with This Article

Submit a Comment

Please read the other comments before you post yours. Contributors must reveal any conflict of interest.
Comments are moderated and will appear on the site at the discretion of JBJS editorial staff.

* = Required Field

Comment Author(s) * (if multiple authors, separate names by comma)

Example: John Doe

Affiliation & Institution*

Comment Title*

Comment*