gms | German Medical Science

55. Jahrestagung der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Neurochirurgie e. V. (DGNC)
1. Joint Meeting mit der Ungarischen Gesellschaft für Neurochirurgie

Deutsche Gesellschaft für Neurochirurgie (DGNC) e. V.

25. bis 28.04.2004, Köln

Management of dens fractures in geriatric versus young patients. A retrospective analysis

Management von Densfrakturen bei geriatrischen versus jungen Patienten. Eine retrospektive Analyse

Meeting Abstract

Suche in Medline nach

  • corresponding author Jörg Baldauf - Klinik für Neurochirurgie, Ernst-Moritz-Arndt Universität, Greifswald
  • M. R. Gaab - Klinik für Neurochirurgie, Klinikum Hannover Nordstadt, Hannover
  • H. W. S. Schroeder - Klinik für Neurochirurgie, Ernst-Moritz-Arndt Universität, Greifswald

Deutsche Gesellschaft für Neurochirurgie. Ungarische Gesellschaft für Neurochirurgie. 55. Jahrestagung der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Neurochirurgie e.V. (DGNC), 1. Joint Meeting mit der Ungarischen Gesellschaft für Neurochirurgie. Köln, 25.-28.04.2004. Düsseldorf, Köln: German Medical Science; 2004. DocDI.03.02

Die elektronische Version dieses Artikels ist vollständig und ist verfügbar unter: http://www.egms.de/de/meetings/dgnc2004/04dgnc0168.shtml

Veröffentlicht: 23. April 2004

© 2004 Baldauf et al.
Dieser Artikel ist ein Open Access-Artikel und steht unter den Creative Commons Lizenzbedingungen (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/deed.de). Er darf vervielfältigt, verbreitet und öffentlich zugänglich gemacht werden, vorausgesetzt dass Autor und Quelle genannt werden.


Gliederung

Text

Objective

The dens fracture is the most frequent fracture of the cervical spine in the geriatric patient. In old people, the management of this kind of fracture is more complicated due to associated diseases and biomechanical changes of the aging spine. The aim of this study was to compare clinical data and treatment options of patients with dens fractures over 65 years to controls younger than 65 years.

Methods

A retrospective study of 49 patients with all types of dens fractures, who were consecutively admitted to our institution between 1992 and 2003, was performed. Demographic data, type of trauma, Frankel grade, ASA score, type of fracture according to Anderson and d’ Alonzo, dens displacement, associated atlas fractures, surgical and non-surgical procedures were analysed and separated in the geriatric (>65 years) and the young (<65 years) group. Follow-up including clinical investigation and cervical x-rays were done.

Results

The complete series revealed seventeen patients older than 65 years (8 female, mean age 78, range 65-98 years). Falling was the cause of fracture in 76 % of the elderly opposite 19 % of the young. All patients, except 7 in the group < 65 years, were Frankel grade E. The geriatric group exposed 8 type II and 9 type III fractures. In contrast 75% of the young patients revealed type II fractures. 30% of all patients had a dens displacement and 17% an associated atlas fracture. Six out of 17 patients > 65 years were treated conservatively. Twenty two patients < 65 years were treated surgically. Follow-up was done in 32 patients (8 vs 24), mean 12,4 months. Stable fusion was seen in 24 patients. In the elderly we found two non-unions during follow-up. One was a Type II fracture after anterior screw fixation and the other a Type III treated with a Minerva brace. In the young we have seen six non-unions, two halo device treated type II fractures, two type II and type III fractures after surgical treatment.

Conclusions

There was no higher rate of non-unions in the geriatric than in the younger patients in our series during follow-up. In our experience an increasing risk of morbidity or mortality did not depend on surgical or non-surgical treatment in the elderly.