Diagnosis And Treatment Of Lower Cervical Spine Fracture In Patients With Ankylosing Spondylitis

Objective To study the diagnosis and treatment for lower cervical spine fracture in patients with ankylosing spondylitis.Methods 11 cases of lower cervical spine fracture in patients with ankylosing spondylitis,admitted in our hospital from Jan 2003 to Jan 2010,were studied resrospectively. Fractures occurred at C6/7 in 4 patients,C6 vertebre body in 1 patient, C5/6 4 patients,C4/5 in 1 patient.1 of the Patients was treated conservatively, the other 10 patients were treated operatively. Decompression,fusion and stabilization with instrumentation were performed by anterior approach in 6 patients,by posterior approach in 1 patient, by both anterior approach and posterior approach in 3 patients.Result 11 patients had a follow-up period from 3 to 96 months,average 34 months.Radiographic evidence of fusion were observed in all of the 11 patients.2 patients without preopetative neurological deficits didn't have neurological deficits after surgery.9 patients with preopetative neurological deficits improved by average 1 grade (Frankel) after surgery. Conclusion Ankylosing spondylitis with lower cervical spine fractures, which have a high rate of neurological deficits.,should be treated surgerically as early as possible.