Scarf-Related Hangman's Fracture: A Case Report

Chiu CK 1 , Yin-Wei Chan C 2 , Saw LB 2 , Kwan MK 2

Affiliations 

  • 1 Orthopedic Surgery, Clinical School, International Medical University, Seremban, Malaysia. [email protected]
  • 2 Orthopedic Surgery, University of Malaya Medical Center, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Eur J Trauma Emerg Surg, 2010 Apr;36(2):180-2.
PMID: 26815695 DOI: 10.1007/s00068-009-8212-3

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Injury to the cervical spine due to a scarfassociated accident has not been reported in the literature. We present a case of a hangman's fracture in a 43-year-old woman that resulted from a scarfrelated injury as a consequence of a motor vehicle accident.

PURPOSE: To identify the mechanism of a scarf-related injury causing Hangman's fracture.

CASE REPORT: A 43-year-old woman was involved in a motor vehicle accident. She was wearing a scarf, which is a common clothing accessory for women in Malaysia. The scarf was violently torn off her head during the injury, causing a type I hangman's fracture. A halo vest for a total period of 3 months was applied.

CONCLUSION: A scarf-related injury can cause an injury that resembles judicial hanging, leading to a traumatic spondylolisthesis of the axis. Careful evaluation of the cervical spine radiographs is crucial as occult fracture of the axis can be missed.

* Title and MeSH Headings from MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

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