No abstract

The authors present details of 22 fractures of the atlas treated at the Orthopaedic Clinic of the University of Athens between 1970 and 1982. After a brief survey of the basis of classification of the four types of fracture, the mechanism of injury, the clinical and radiological presentation and the treatment of these injuries, the authors analyse their own cases and examine their results. Such fractures may go unrecognised because of more obvious associated injuries at other levels in the cervical spine. Neurological signs are uncommon. Treatment has always been orthopaedic and the results are usually excellent.

Sixteen cases of double level fracture of the cervical spine treated at the Orthopaedic Clinic of Athens University from 1970 to 1983 are presented. These comprise 5.5% of all cervical fractures. The aetiology, mechanism of injury, neurological complications and management of these injuries is discussed. Awareness of double level fracture in the cervical spine will alert the clinician to a more careful examination allowing earlier diagnosis and treatment of these injuries. The problems in management are stressed.

The IPC device had no significant impact on non-invasive blood pressure measurement of the ankle in our study.