RACGP
Australian Family Physician
Australian Family Physician

Advertising

Volume 38, Issue 1, January-February 2009

Upper cervical spine injuries in elderly patients

M Sami Walid Nadezhda V Zaytseva
Download article
Cite this article    BIBTEX    REFER    RIS

Background
Elderly patients may sustain upper cervical spine injury without neurological symptoms or radiographic evidence of fracture.
Objective
This review discusses the prevalence and presentations of upper cervical spine injury in the elderly, and the use of imaging in the evaluation of such injuries.
Discussion
Typically, upper cervical spine injuries are caused by hyperextension in patients with degenerative changes of the senescent spine. Multiplanar imaging of the cervical spine in elderly patients with persistent post-traumatic head and neck symptoms, even after seemingly minor trauma, is decisive.

Download the PDF for the full article.


Download article PDF

Advertising

Australian Family Physician RACGP

Printed from Australian Family Physician - https://www.racgp.org.au/afp/2009/january-february/upper-cervical-spine-injuries
© The Australian College of General Practitioners www.racgp.org.au