C1–C2 type Harms internal fixation for unstable C2 fracture in a 6-year-old boy: Case report

Decision-making is often difficult in odontoid fracture in children.We present the case of a 6-year-old boy who sustained cervical trauma on falling out of a tree. Initial cervical X-ray and CT-scan did not find any traumatic lesion. Three-week check-up revealed an unstable C2 fracture in the synchondrosis at the base of the odontoid bone, with anterior displacement (type IC on the classification of Hosalkar et al.), without neurological symptoms except for cervical pain and limitation of head rotation. MRI confirmed the absence of medullary lesion. The Harms technique was used to fix C1 and C2, using adult instrumentation without bone graft. Bone fusion was obtained at 8 months. Hardware was removed at 10 months. No complications were reported.Posterior internal fixation for unstable C2 fractures in children can be effective and relatively safe.