Prevalence Of Cervical Spine Injuries In Association With Maxillofacial Injuries In A Tertiary Care Hospital In Central India

Abstract

Background: Facial fractures can be accompanied by serious and life-threatening injuries such as cervical spine injury (CSI), which can lead to serious consequences if misdiagnosed or missed. Aim: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of cervical spine injuries in patients with maxillofacial fractures in a superspeciality teaching hospital. Material and Methods: This is a retrospective study conducted in the department of neurosurgery, super speciality hospital, SSMC, Rewa, India. All patients diagnosed with cervical spine injuries by CT scan were enrolled in our study. The prevalence and types of neurologic deficits and its relation with etiology were assessed in patients with combined facial and cervical spine injuries. Result: A total of 92 patients of cervical spine injury, with ages ranging from 15 to 78 years old were enrolled in our study. Majority of the patients were male (66.3%), Mode of the injury in most cases involved blunt trauma, 58 (63%) resulting from motor vehicle accidents followed by fall (14.1%). The most common type of the CSIs was the vertebral fracture (54.3%). Mandible was the most common site of the observed maxillofacial fractures (41.3%). Increased age was significantly associated with the presence of CSI. Conclusion: Although uncommon, cervical spine injury must be thoroughly ruled out before evaluation and management of facial trauma. Concomitant cervical spine injury should not delay appropriate and timely treatment of facial fractures because adequate means of intraoperative stabilization are readily available.