Unusual combined fractures of the axis and atlas: case report

Combined atlantoaxial fractures are rare and may present in various types. These combined fractures are seen frequently after motor vehicle accidents and falls from height. A sixtyfour years old male patient was admitted to our emergency room after fall from height. His neurological examination was normal. The radiological imaging revealed atlanto-axial combined fractures. The patient was treated by immobilization for eight weeks with Halovest and thereafter for eight weeks with Philedelphia collar. The Philedelphia collar was left four months after the trauma. His lateral x-ray and computerized tomography imaging after sixteen months revealed solid bone fusion and no instability detected. In this study a successfull case who has undergone conservative treatment. Coronally orientated posterior corpus fracture and antero-inferior teardrop fracture of the C2 and bilateral fractures of the posterior arcus of the C1 has been presented.