Türk Nöroşirürji Dergisi 2001 , Vol 11 , Num 1
ISOLATED FRACTURE OF THE THIRD CERVICAL VERTEBRA: CASE REPORT
Metin TUNA, Tahsin ERMAN, Faruk İLDAN, A İskender GÖÇER, Erdal ÇETİNALP
Çukurova Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi Nöroşirürji Anabilim Dalı, Adana Isolated fractures of the third cervical vertebra are rare (0.8 percent) and primarily chip fractures of the body or isolated lamina or spinous process fractures. These fractures can be managed by cervical traction for initial immobilization and assessment of stability followed by maintenance in an orthosis, depending on the extent of bone and ligamentous injury, and the patient's compliance. Another treatment method is surgical stabilization of fracture. Because of greater angulation than 11° and widened interspinous space either above or below the involved vertebral element, attempts to maintain spine alignment in the orthosis alone usually fails, with the affected vertebral body undergoing further (resorptive) compression. In a patient with isolated fracture of the third cervical vertebra; if the patient's compliance and conservative management in the orthosis are fail; anterior corpectomy and autologous iliac crest bone graft fusion procedure via transcervical retropharingeal approach are an effective management method. In addition, this method provides early mobilization of the patient. Anahtar Kelimeler : Cervical spine, isolated fracture of C3, stabilization