Fractures of the Atlas Vertebra are Serious
The neck is a vulnerable structure which contains numerous vital body parts, such as the carotid arteries, jugular veins, trachea, spinal cord, and esophagus. Trauma to the neck can damage any of these structures, including the atlas vertebra. Damage to this vertebra can lead to serious complications and, possibly, fatal consequences.
The human body is stabilized by the spinal cord which runs down the back. The cord contains nerves that are distributed to all areas of the body and help to control both motor and sensory function. Damage to the cord at any point can compromise all nerves and structures beneath the level of damage. For example, damage to the spinal cord at the level of the hip could render paralysis of the legs. Damage to the cord at a higher point could lead to paralysis of both the arms and the legs. Because the spinal cord is so important, it is protected by bony structures called vertebrae. Vertebral fractures could lead to spinal cord damage because fragments of fractured bone could transect some of the nerves in the spinal cord. The top vertebra of the spinal cord is called the
atlas vertebra. This structure is right beneath the brain stem and is in the shape of a ring. Damage to this vertebra can lead to catastrophic personal injury to both the cord and the brain. It could even lead to a wrongful death.
A Case Report: A Motor Vehicle Accident with an Atlas Fracture
A team of medical professionals published a case report describing a unique development with an atlas fracture. Because the atlas is in the shape of a ring, fractures to the atlas generally happen in more than one location. It is difficult to break a firm ring in only one location because, typically, a concomitant fracture happens in another location. A middle-aged patient was driving down the road and was involved in an auto accident. He was t-boned by a pickup truck in the driver's door. He sustained numerous lacerations from the broken glass. The top of the window and door collapsed and struck him in the side of the neck. Emergency personnel was called to the scene and the man was transported to the hospital. Initially, a neck x-ray did not demonstrate any fractures. However, due to persistent pain, the man was placed in a cervical collar and received a CT scan. Interestingly, the CT scan showed a single fracture in the atlas vertebra. Because of this injury, the man was kept in a cervical collar for six weeks while the fracture healed. After this treatment, the man received a follow-up scan which showed that the fracture had healed completely. The man did not require any additional therapy and did not suffer any loss of motor or sensory function.
Associated Injuries and Complications
There are many different associated traumatic injuries that someone could have associated with a fracture of the
atlas. The most common mechanism of injury is someone who dives into a swimming pool which is too shallow and impacts his or her head on the bottom of the pool. However, any impact to the top of the head has the potential to fracture the atlas. In this mechanism, the vertebra beneath the atlas (called the axis) impacts the atlas abruptly, leading to a burst fracture. This could also lead to a traumatic brain injury because the atlas could then, in turn, impact the brain stem. People could also damage their atlas vertebra if they are hit by a falling object, such as a tree branch. This could also lead to injuries to the upper arm and shoulder area. These injuries span a wide range of severity.
Understanding the Legal Issues that Could Arise
When someone suffers a fracture of the atlas, there are many different complications that someone could experience. Any damage to the spinal cord could make it difficult to perform everyday tasks. People who have suffered nerve damage could also develop pain that makes it difficult to work. This can lead to serious financial problems that can create stress, such as:
Medical Costs: The costs don't disappear when someone leaves the hospital. Some people require physical therapy and rehabilitation. Other individuals may need to go to surgery. If someone has been injured as a result of the actions of someone else, that party should be held responsible.
Insurance Companies: Those who are relying on insurance to cover their medical care may be surprised at how difficult this could be. What happens if the insurance company denies their claims?
Property Damage: Many times, these accidents have property damage associated with them. It could be a challenge to replace these items without the help of an experienced legal professional.
For this reason, anybody with questions should reach out to a caring legal provider.
Photo Attribution: Wikimedia Commons.
:dr cha [cs 896]
