South African Journal of Radiology (Oct 2000)
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.