[Fracture of the odontoid process in primary myelopathy. Report of a case].

Fractures of the odontoid are reported to contribute in 15% to cervical spine fractures. The clinical findings range between no symptoms at all and sudden death. Neurological deficits are seen in 6 to 25% of these patients. The overall mortality in this group is 3 to 8%. Fractures of the odontoid process combined with primary myelopathy has been reported seldom. We describe a traumatic fracture of the odontoid process with primary myelopathy, the chosen therapy and the follow-up.