Incidence and type of cervical spine injuries associated with mandibular fractures.

The incidence of facial fractures accompanied by spinal injuries, while low, is of significant concern to the craniomaxillofacial surgeon. There are conflicting reports on the association between facial fractures and concomitant spinal damage. This retrospective study of 424 patients with mandibular fractures examines the relationship of mandibular fractures and concomitant spinal injuries. The incidence of concurrent mandibular and cervical fractures was 2.6%, predominantly associated with motor vehicle accidents. The purpose of this study is to examine the incidence of cervical spine injury associated with mandibular fractures, in order to improve the diagnosis and treatment of spinal injury associated with mandibular fractures.