Daniel R Felbaum1, Jeffrey J Stewart2, Zaev D Suskin2, Waltus H Gill3, Faheem A Sandhu4. 1. Department of Neurosurgery, MedStar Georgetown University Hospital, Washington, DC, USA. 2. Georgetown University School of Medicine, Washington, DC, USA. 3. Department of Neurosurgery, Centra Neurosciences, Lynchburg, Virginia, USA. 4. Department of Neurosurgery, MedStar Georgetown University Hospital, Washington, DC, USA. Electronic address: fasandhu@aol.com.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: An isolated, unilateral fracture of the C1 lateral mass is a rare condition that has been only minimally described in the literature. Historically, these fractures have predominantly been managed conservatively with either external immobilization or traction. CASE DESCRIPTION: We review the literature and present 2 patients that presented after failing conservative management, but demonstrated excellent clinical outcomes after surgical treatment. CONCLUSIONS: After failure of conservative management, unilateral sagittal split fractures may be safely and effectively managed with unilateral open reduction and placement of a lag screw.
BACKGROUND: An isolated, unilateral fracture of the C1 lateral mass is a rare condition that has been only minimally described in the literature. Historically, these fractures have predominantly been managed conservatively with either external immobilization or traction. CASE DESCRIPTION: We review the literature and present 2 patients that presented after failing conservative management, but demonstrated excellent clinical outcomes after surgical treatment. CONCLUSIONS: After failure of conservative management, unilateral sagittal split fractures may be safely and effectively managed with unilateral open reduction and placement of a lag screw.