'Fine PR, Kuhlemeier KV, De Vivo MJ, Stover SL. Spinal cord injury: an epidemiological perspective. Paraplegia 1980 ;17 :237-50. 2 Castanier MM, Garard R, Berard E, Deider C, Bourret J. Epidemiology of spinal cord injury in Rhode-Alpes region, France 1970-75. Paraplegia 1979 ;16 :76-87. 3 Kurtzke JF. Epidemiology of spinal cord injury. Exp Neurol 1975;48: 163-236. 4 Krans JF, Franti CE, Riggins...

OBJECTIVE To investigate the degree of ossification and the frequency of ankylosis between the atlas and the dens of the axis in patients with longstanding ankylosing spondylitis (AS), to assess radiological involvement of the cervical spine, and to determine their correlations with structural severity and clinical variables, including neurological abnormalities. METHODS In 61 AS patients wit...

OBJECTIVES To discuss the pathophysiology of atlanto-axial subluxation as a rare complication of tonsillectomy, and to discuss the important radiological findings for diagnosis and treatment planning. CASE REPORT We report a case of post-tonsillectomy atlanto-axial subluxation, also known as Grisel's syndrome, in a child. On the third day after surgery, the boy presented with torticollis with...

Cervical spine injury occurs in 5-10% of patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) and the consequences of missing significant cervical injuries in unconscious blunt trauma patients are potentially devastating. An adequate cervical spine clearance protocol for unconscious patients must avoid missed injuries, but must also avoid unnecessary cervical immobilisation and the associated morbidity. ...

Fifteen patients with ankylosing spondylitis who had developed a severe flexion deformity of the cervical spine which restricted their field of vision to their feet, were treated by an extension osteotomy at the C7/T1 level. The operation was performed under general anaesthesia with the patient in the prone position and wearing a halo-jacket. Three had internal fixation using a Luque rectangle ...

We have reviewed 32 patients with rheumatoid disease of the cervical spine who underwent a total of 40 operations aimed at correcting instability and improving any associated neurovascular deficit. Apart from four patients with intractable pain, the main indication for surgery was progressive neurological impairment. Of the 32 primary operations, 19 (60%) were successful; the remainder failed t...

We report a case of delayed myelopathy caused by atlantoaxial subluxation without fracture. The patient was a 38-year-old male who became aware of weakness in extremities. The patient had a history of hitting his head severely while diving into a swimming pool at the age of 14 years old. At that time, cervical spine plain X-ray images showed no fracture, and the cervical pain disappeared after ...

Degenerative cervical spondylosis is a common, mostly asymptomatic condition, occurring as a result of age-related degenerative changes in the cervical spine. Symptoms caused by cervical spondylosis can be categorized broadly into three clinical syndromes: axial neck pain, cervical radiculopathy, and cervical myelopathy; with patients commonly having a combination of these syndromes. This speci...

Trauma patients are at high risk of cervical and associated injuries. The standard protocol includes immobilization of the cervical spine in a polytrauma as it will help to prevent spinal injuries in the prehospital settings. Hard cervical collar (or alternatives) is routinely used until the cervical spine clearance is obtained . In patients with traumatic brain injury avoiding any kind of mane...