Pedicle Screw Fixation for Hemiplegia and Bilateral Hypoesthesia Due to C2-C3 Spinal Fracture Dislocation

Abstract

Case: A 48-year-old man fell from a tree and presented to the emergency department with right-sided full hemiplegia and C3 bilateral hypoesthesia. Imaging was remarkable for a C2-C3 fracture-dislocation. The patient was effectively managed surgically with a posterior decompression and 4-level posterior cervical fixation/fusion that included pedicle screws in the axis fixation and lateral mass screws. The reduction/fixation remained stable, and the patient regained full lower extremity function and demonstrated functional upper-extremity recovery at three-year follow-up. Conclusions: C2-C3 fracture-dislocation is a rare but potentially fatal injury due to concomitant spinal cord injury, and its surgical management can be challenging because of the proximity of vascular and nerve structures. Posterior cervical fixation that includes axis pedicle screws can be an effective fixation option in select patients with this condition.