XXXX : a risk factor for odontoid @entity174 in the elderly.

@entity1 @entity174 @entity2001 @entity179 @entity9807 @entity528 @entity130
BACKGROUND CONTEXT: Scholars have postulated that cervical degeneration can predispose the upper cervical spine to injury after minor @entity130 . @entity2001 have previously been recognized as potentiators of @entity174 in the hip and knee but no cases of cervical @entity179 contributing to @entity174 have been reported. PURPOSE: This report documents a case series in which @entity1 sustained significant @entity130 in the setting of subchondral cervical cysts. STUDY DESIGN/SETTING: Case series/academic level I @entity130 center. METHODS: Between 2004 and 2008, six @entity1 (ages 73-91 years) with cervical pathology were admitted to the @entity130 service at our Level I @entity130 center. The most common mechanism of injury was a low velocity fall, which occurred in 5 out of 6 @entity1 . All @entity1 suffered an @entity174 . In all cases, there was radiographic evidence of cyst formation, and computed tomographic imaging demonstrated @entity174 communication with the @entity2001 . RESULTS: Of the six cases, four were treated definitively with immobilization in a cervical orthosis and two required surgery. One @entity1 was treated with an occipital-cervical fusion, whereas the other underwent Brooks wiring. All @entity1 ultimately went on to heal their @entity174 . CONCLUSIONS: Degenerative changes in the cervical spine have previously been recognized to potentiate injury. This report raises the question of whether degenerative processes at the C1-C2 articulation predispose elderly @entity1 to injury at this level. The presence of @entity528 at the @entity9807 should be recognized as a potential risk factor for @entity130 after relatively minor @entity130 .
