Cervical spine chance fracture (flexion-distraction) is a rare type of fracture, and
the surgical management remains a dilemma to the neurosurgeons as there is a paucity
of evidence accordingly. We herein report a traumatic chance fracture of C7 fractures
and its surgical management. A 33-year-old male was transferred to our center after
being hit as pedestrian and was diagnosed to have a chance fracture of C7 and bilateral
C7 root injury. He underwent open reduction of the deformity by posterior-only fixation
of C5 and C6 with a lateral mass screw and T1 and T2 with pedicular screws. The neurological
examination improved postoperatively, and the patients were neurologically intact
after 6 months of treatment. Traumatic cervical spine chance fracture is extremely
rare and can be managed surgically through posterior fixation and open reduction of
the deformity. The best choice of treatment is limited by the paucity of the evidence
and should be individualized.
Key-words:
Cervical spine - chance fracture - fixation - surgical management
