Pediatric atlanto-occipital dissociation: radiographic findings and clinical outcome.

Study Design:  Retrospective diagnostic feasibility study and clinical review.

Objectives:  To evaluate the feasibility of making an initial atlanto-occipital dissociation (AOD) diagnosis from four radiological measurements of the craniocervical relationship on lateral cervical spine x-rays and to assess the AOD patients' clinical outcomes relative to their magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings.

Methods:  The Powers ratio, Wackenheim line, basion-dens distance (BDD), and the C1/2:C2/3 interspinous ratio were measured in 58 pediatric controls and ten MRI-confirmed patients with AOD.

Rugby and cervical spine injuries - has anything changed? A 5-year review in the Western Cape.

Objectives: To review the incidence of all rugby-associated cervical spine injuries in the Western Cape and identify risk factors.

Methods: We reviewed case notes and X-rays of 27 male patients with rugby-related cervical spine injuries treated in the acute spinal injury (ASCI) unit at Groote Schuur Hospital from April 2003 to June 2008, and followed up with telephone interviews. Patient profile, rugby profile, subsequent injury management from the field to definitive surgery and neurological status on admission, discharge and follow-up using the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) classification were assessed.