Publication

Complete medulla/cervical spinal cord transection after atlanto-occipital dislocation: an extraordinary case

Journal Paper/Review - May 1, 2007

Units
PubMed
Doi

Citation
Gautschi O, Woodland P, Zellweger R. Complete medulla/cervical spinal cord transection after atlanto-occipital dislocation: an extraordinary case. Spinal cord : the official journal of the International Medical Society of Paraplegia 2007; 45:387-93.
Type
Journal Paper/Review (English)
Journal
Spinal cord : the official journal of the International Medical Society of Paraplegia 2007; 45
Publication Date
May 1, 2007
Issn Print
1362-4393
Pages
387-93
Brief description/objective

STUDY DESIGN: Case report.Summary of background data:Traumatic atlanto-occipital dislocation (AOD) with a complete medulla/spinal cord transection is rare and believed to be fatal owing to the high level of the spinal cord injury. Clinical outcome is poor. Consequently, relatively few case reports of adult patients surviving this injury appear in the literature. OBJECTIVES AND RESULT: We present the case of a 20-year-old male, who sustained an AOD with a complete medulla/spinal cord transection in a motorcycle accident to discuss the possibility of long-term survival with this condition. The patient underwent occipito-cervical stabilization. With an Injury Severity Score of 75, by definition unsurvivable, the patient is 16 months after the injury, ventilated and fully dependent for all care. CONCLUSION: Long-term survival following AOD with a complete medulla/spinal cord transection is possible if immediate resuscitation at the scene is available. Nevertheless, it remains questionable whether or not a patient with such a devastating injury and without any prospect of functional recovery should be kept alive under all circumstances.