Burst Fracture of the Axis Body: Case Report

Abstract

We experienced a rare case of a 54-year-old male with a burst fracture of the axis body (C-2). The mechanism of this lesion was thought to be application of a vertical downward force and bending force to the dense. On arrival, he had severe pain on his neck and neurological deficit on his left upper extremity. Plain radiography and CT scan showed a burst fracture of the axis body classified as type 2 according to Benzel's classification. He was treated with direct traction for the first six weeks and halo-vest fixation for the next four weeks. We kept his neck in an extension position opposing the mechanism of injury. Three months later, reduction and bone union were obtained. Eleven months after injury, he had no neck pain and neurological symptoms, and the motion range of the cervical spine was not restricted. The fragments were united by conservative therapy.
Our case suggested that the mechanism of this fracture was axial downward force with flexion position.