Atypical C2 fractures refer to all fracture types of the C2 body excluding odontoid
fractures and traumatic spondylolisthesis of C2. A 55-year-old male patient presented
with neck pain after a vehicular accident. Computed tomography (CT) showed an oblique
fracture line of the C2 vertebral body through the pedicle and lamina with fracture
gap and posterior displacement. We used a clenching reduction technique to treat this
fracture by using an ipsilateral laminar screw and contralateral pedicle screw. The
final follow-up CT scan showed complete bone union. Neck motion was preserved including
rotation. For this unstable atypical C2 fracture, the clenching reduction technique
proved to be a safe and effective technique while salvaging neck motion.
Keywords
atypical C2 fracture - clenching reduction technique - osteosynthesis
