Combination fractures of the atlas and axis occur relatively frequently and are associated with an increased incidence of neurological deficit compared with either isolated C1 or isolated C2 fractures. C1-type II odontoid combination fractures are the most commonC1-C2 combination fracture injury pattern, followed by C1-miscellaneous axis body fractures, C1-type III odontoid fractures, and C1-Hangman combination fractures. Class III medical evidence addressing the management of patients with acute traumatic combination atlas and axis fractures describes a variety of treatment strategies for these unique fracture injuries based primarily on the specific characteristics of the axis fracture injury subtype.. © 2013 by the Congress of Neurological Surgeons.
