Yu-Chou Hung a, Shang-Chi Chen b, Tzu-Wen Loh c, Hung-Yu Cheng a, Chain-Fa Su c
aDepartment of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Buddhist Tzu Chi General Hospital, Hualien, Taiwan
bDepartment of Neurosurgery, Buddhist Dalin Tzu Chi General Hospital, Chiayi, Taiwan
cDepartment of Neurosurgery, Buddhist Tzu Chi General Hospital, Hualien, Taiwan
Abstract
Odontoid fractures are relatively common upper cervical spine injuries, comprising up to 20% of cervical spine fractures. The treatment of odontoid fractures remains controversial, and is evolving with the advent of new fixation methods. Recently, many endoscopically-assisted procedures have been performed for various types of spinal surgeries to minimize invasiveness and to avoid soft tissue injury. We present the case of a 55-year-old man who underwent endoscopically-assisted anterior screw fixation for rostral type III odontoid fracture in Taiwan. A literature review of the current management of odontoid fractures and postoperative complications was also performed.
Keywords
Cervical spine; Endoscopes; Odontoid fracture; Spine trauma
