• Merv Letts, Darin Davidson, and David Healey.
• Division of Orthopaedics, Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada.
• Spine. 2002 Oct 15; 27 (20): E446E450E446-50.

Study DesignThe case of a 14-year-old boy who sustained simultaneous fractures of every cervical vertebra in a high-energy snowmobile accident is reported.ObjectiveTo describe a case of multiple cervical spine fractures and their management.Summary Of Background DataInjuries from all-terrain vehicles and off-road vehicles, including snowmobiles, are increasing in severity and frequency. The reported case illustrates a result of high-impact loading in which the driver struck his head after being thrown from a snowmobile at high speed.MethodsThe 14-year-old boy in the reported case fractured C1-C7, but had no neurologic sequelae.ResultsThe fractures were treated with a halo vest after traction and reduction of the displaced odontoid fracture. All the fractures healed with no residual cervical instability.ConclusionsThis case report is the first to describe a patient of any age who sustained simultaneous fractures of every cervical vertebra. Treatment with a halo vest was successful in protecting the cervical spine until healing was complete.

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