Odontoid fractures are fractures of dens or odontoid process of axis vertebra or C2. Dens is a strong, tooth-like process projecting upwards from the body of axis.
Fractures of the axis make up 27% of all cervical spine injuries. Fractures of odontoid process are the most common subtype of axis fractures (41%). Odontoid fractures account for 10-15% of all cervical fractures.
These fractures occur in young patients and elderly in a bimodal fashion. Whereas inyoung patients the fractures are as a result of blunt trauma to head leading to cervical hyperflexion or hyperextension, in elderly people these occur by simple fall. Elderly people also have higher morbidity and mortality.
Anatomy of Odontoid Process or Dens
Axis vertebra has an odontoid process or dens and body. Cartilagenous junction between the dens and vertebral body that does not fuse until 6 years of age and should be kept in mind so as not to misdiagnose it as fracture.
Occipital-C1-C2 ligamentous stability is provided by the odontoid process and its supporting ligaments. Transverse ligament limits anterior translation of the atlas. Both apical ligaments and alar ligaments limit rotation of the upper cervical spine
The odontoid is derived from mesenchyme of the first cervical vertebra. During development, it becomes separated from the atlas and fuses with the axis.
This separate ossification center is called ossiculum terminale, appears at age 3 years and fuses by age 12 years.
Blood Supply Of Odontoid
Vertebral and carotid arteries form the main source of blood supply to odontoid. Anterior ascending artery and posterior ascending artery are branches of vertebral artery beginning at the level of C3. They ascend anterior and posterior to the odontoid and meet superiorly to form an apical arcade.
Cleft perforators come fron of the extracranial internal carotid artery and supply the superior portion of the odontoid.
apex of the odontoid is is supplied by branches of internal carorid artery and base is supplied from branches of vertebral artery.
This condition was earlier thought to be a failure of fusion at base of the odontoid but new evidence has suggested likelihood of residual old traumatic process.An os odontoduem can be divided into two main types
- Orthotopic : normal position with a wide gap between C2 and os)
- Dystopic : displaced
It could be confused with odontoid fractures and the treatment is mostly observation
The displacement of the fragment could be anterior (hyperflexion) or posterior (hyperextension). Anterior displacement is associated with transverse ligament failure and atlanto-axial instability.
Posterior displacement is caused by direct impact from the anterior arch of atlas during hyperextension.
Anderson and D’Alonzo Classification of Odontoid Fractures
Type I Odontoid Fractures
These type of odontoid fractures involve tip of dens at insertion of alar ligament. These are usually stable fractures but may be associated with atlanto-occipital dislocation. These constitute about 5% of odontoid fractures. Generally it is a stable fracture.
Type II Odontoid Fractures
These are most common odontoid fractures and account for 60% of the cases. Fractures occur at the base. These fractures are associated with higher rate of non union.
Type III Odontoid Fractures
Accounts for 30% of the fractures. Fractures occur through the body of C2 and does not actually involve dens. These are unstable fracture as the atlas and occiput can now move together as a unit
Patients present with neck pain that worsens with motion of the neck. Other findings may be
- Motor power loss ranging to quadriplegia
- Feeling of instability of head on spine
- Dysphagia may be present when associated with a large retropharyngeal hematoma
AP, lateral, open-mouth odontoid view of cervical spine are commonly done in injury to upper cervical spine and odontoid fractures.Fracture pattern is best seen on open-mouth odontoid.
Flexion extension radiographs are important to diagnose occipitocervical instability in Type I odontoid fractures and Os odontoideum.
Instability defined as atlanto-dens-interval > 10mm and < 13mm space available for cord.
CT scan wouldbe best for fracture delineation and to assess stability of fracture pattern. CT angiogram is required to determine location of vertebral artery prior to posterior instrumentation procedures. MRI is indicated if neural loss is there.
Os Odontoideum patients require observation in most of the cases. Type I fractures are managed by cervical orthosis. Type II in young patients can be managed in halo brace if risk factors for nonunion are not present. Otherwise they should be operated. In elderly patients who are not candidates for surgery, type II fractures are managed with cervical orthoses.
Type III fractures are treated with Cervical Orthosis
Os odontoideum and in cases with no neurologic symptoms or instability.
Hard Cervical Orthosis
These are worn for 6-12 weeks in patients with type I and type II in elderly who are not surgical candidates. Union may not occur in these cases but a fibrous union provides enough stability.
Halo Vest Immobilization
It is done in young patients with no risk factors for nonunion. This is also worn for 6-12 weeks.
Posterior C1-C2 fusion
This involves fusion of first and second vertebra posteriorly. This treatment is considered in patients with
- Type II fractures with risk factors for nonunion.
- Type II/III fracture nonunions
- Os odontoideum with neurologic deficits or instability
- Type I with atlantooccipital instability (extremely rare)
Anterior Odontoid Osteosynthesis
This involves surgical fixation of the fracture. This is done in patients with type II fractures with risk factors for nonunion and acceptable alignment and minimal displacement provided fracture pattern allow proper screw placement. It is associated with higher failure rates than posterior C1-2 fusion
Odontoid is removed when there is severe posterior displacement of dens with spinal cord compression and neurologic deficits
Image Credit: http://www.jaaos.org/content/18/7/383/F1.large.jpg
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