Abstract
Large studies about the management of pediatric patients with unstable flexion-distraction injuries of the midcervical spine are rare. We present the case of a 12-year-old girl who sustained a cervical spinal injury with unilateral facet dislocation and discuss details and problems of diagnostic procedures and treatment in the light of the recent literature. The management and pitfalls of a unilateral facet dislocation in a child are summarized. After initial reposition, a multisegmental instability with neurology developed. Although distraction-flexion cervical spine injuries are common in adults and often occur with concomitant neurological sequelae, they also can occur in the pediatric population. In conclusion, an MRI seems advisable. A treatment of postoperative malalignment with reposition via a halo-fixator cannot be recommended. Repositioning is possible but was lost when the fixator was removed. Comparing the historic and recent literature there is only weak evidence overall, nevertheless a ventral fusion seems to be the treatment option of choice.
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Faschingbauer, M., Schulz, A.P., Seide, K. et al. Unstable Cervical Spinal Injury in Children – Case Report and Review of the Literature. Eur J Trauma Emerg Surg 34, 515–521 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00068-008-7172-3
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00068-008-7172-3