The anterior inferior angle XXXX of a lower cervical vertebra.

@entity1 @entity174 @entity75 @entity16 @entity572 @entity130
Thirty-eight cases of a "tear drop" @entity174 of the lower cervical spine treated in our department during the last 20 years are reported. They represent 8.3% of all cervical injuries. We classified our cases into four types with regard to the extent of the @entity75 and the resulting posterior displacement of the vertebral body. @entity572 is of paramount importance. @entity16 were present in 52.6% of the @entity1 , and they were related to the @entity130 . Five @entity1 died, and 33 were followed up for a mean period of 10 years. Five @entity1 were operated on. All @entity1 with a complete @entity16 remained unchanged irrespective of the type of treatment. Incomplete @entity16 showed a better tendency to recover after surgical treatment. Types III and IV are the more serious lesions, and they represent an absolute indication for surgical treatment. Type I is more benign and, if treated properly, has a good prognosis similar to type II.
