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.
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.