Five cases of paediatric cervical spine distraction injury

Abstract

Cervical spine distraction injury was considered rare in children, but current literature claims that atlanto-occipital distraction is a major contributor to paediatric trauma mortality. Lower cervical spine distraction is considered rare and usually results in quadriplegia. Three cases of atlanto-occipital distraction are presented here, supporting these claims. The two cases of lower cervical spine distraction are presented as good examples of a rare injury that is sustained in the same manner as atlanto-occipital distraction, but may result in survival of the patient with quadriplegia.