Simultaneous fracture of every cervical vertebra: a case study.

Abstract

The case of a 14-year-old boy who sustained simultaneous fractures of every cervical vertebra in a high-energy snowmobile accident is reported. To describe a case of multiple cervical spine fractures and their management. Injuries from all-terrain vehicles and off-road vehicles, including snowmobiles, are increasing in severity and frequency. The reported case illustrates a result of high-impact loading in which the driver struck his head after being thrown from a snowmobile at high speed. The 14-year-old boy in the reported case fractured C1-C7, but had no neurologic sequelae. The fractures were treated with a halo vest after traction and reduction of the displaced odontoid fracture. All the fractures healed with no residual cervical instability. This case report is the first to describe a patient of any age who sustained simultaneous fractures of every cervical vertebra. Treatment with a halo vest was successful in protecting the cervical spine until healing was complete.