Verletzungen der oberen Halswirbelsäule

Die Haufigkeit, Diagnostik, Klassifikation, die klinische Erstversorgung und die Standardtherapie sowie die Prinzipien der Nachsorge der einzelnen Verletzungen der Halswirbelsaule werden im Rahmen dieses Weiterbildungsartikels dargestellt. Ein konservatives Therapieregime ist vielfach moglich. Bei instabilen bzw. dislozierten Verletzungen bedarf es einer operativen Intervention, wobei verschiedene operative Verfahren zum Einsatz kommen.Abstract Around a third of all cervical spine injuries occur in the upper cervical spine in the area between the occiput and the second cervical vertebra. The latter being the most common location of the injury with around 70%. But also atlas fractures, occipital condyle fractures, traumatic spondylolisthesis of C2, atypical fractures in the corpus area as well as atlantooccipital and atlantoaxial ligamentous lesions should be mentioned in connection with injuries in this area. In many cases, conservative therapy regimen is possible. In unstable or displaced injuries, however, surgical intervention is required, with various surgical procedures being used. The frequency, diagnostics, classification, and standard therapy of the individual entities are presented in detail in this continuing medical education article.