====== Axis body fracture ======

//[[J.Sales-Llopis]]//

//Neurosurgery Department, [[General University Hospital Alicante]], [[Spain]]//
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Body fractures – Involve the [[vertebral body]] of [[C2]] (excluding the dens or [[pars]]).

📊 Axis Body Fracture Characteristics:
Less common than odontoid or hangman’s fractures.

Often result from high-energy trauma (e.g., motor vehicle accidents).

Can be stable or unstable, depending on displacement, comminution, and involvement of adjacent structures like the vertebral artery foramen.

[[Benzel Axis body fracture classification]].
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🧠 **CT** is the imaging modality of choice for initial assessment. Add **MRI** if there is neurological deficit or suspected ligamentous injury.
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📷 Diagnosis:
CT scan is the gold standard for evaluating bony anatomy.

MRI may be needed to assess ligamentous injury or spinal cord involvement.

⚕️ Management:
Stable fractures: Often treated conservatively with a hard cervical collar or halo vest.

Unstable or displaced fractures: May require surgical stabilization (e.g., anterior cervical plating, posterior fusion, or odontoid screw if dens is involved).

===== Treatment =====

[[Axis body fracture treatment]]