Upper cervical manipulation combined with mobilization for the treatment of atlantoaxial osteoarthritis: a report of 10 cases.

OBJECTIVE: This study presents the outcomes of patients with idiopathic degenerative and posttraumatic atlantoaxial osteoarthritis who were treated with upper cervical manipulation in combination with mobilization device therapy. CLINICAL FEATURES: A retrospective case review of 10 patients who were diagnosed with either degenerative or posttraumatic atlantoaxial arthritis based on histories, clinical symptoms, physical examination, and radiographic presentations was conducted at a multidisciplinary integrated clinic that used both chiropractic and orthopedic services. All 10 patients selected for this series were treated with a combination of upper cervical manipulation and mechanical mobilization device therapy. Outcome measures were collected at baseline and at the end of the treatment period. Assessments were measured using patients' self-report of pain using a numeric pain scale (NPS), physical examination, and radiologic changes. Average premanipulative NPS was 8.6 (range, 7-10), which was improved to a mean NPS of 2.6 (range, 0-7) at posttreatment follow-up. Mean rotation of C1-C2 at the end of treatment was improved from 28° (±3.1) to 52° (±4.5). Restoration of joint space was observed in 6 patients. Overall clinical improvement was described as "good" or "excellent" in about 80% of patients. Clinical improvements in pain and range of motion were seen in 80% and 90% of patients, respectively. CONCLUSION: Chiropractic management of atlantoaxial osteoarthritis yielded favorable outcomes for these 10 patients.

[Management of traumatic tracheal injuries: presentation of a rare case and review of the literature]. / Behandlung traumatischer Trachealverletzungen: Präsentation eines seltenen Falles und Literaturübersicht.

BACKGROUND: Traumatic injuries of the tracheobronchial system are rare, but a big challenge for the clinician in early diagnosis and optimal management in the prevention of high fatality and morbidity. PRESENTATION OF THE CASE: We present the case of a patient with suicidal deep cervical stabbing wound and consecutive subtotal transsection of the trachea. The patient was treated by an interdisciplinary team and emergency operation was performed after admission to the hospital. Intubation was done through the stabbing wound and the knife was removed intraoperatively. After removal the knife an end-to-end reanastomosis of the trachea was performed. There were no further injuries of large vessels or the oesophagus. The long term result showed, with the exception of a unilateral palsy of the recurrent laryngeal nerve and consecutive minor dysphonia, no further morbidity. CONCLUSIONS: The management of tracheobronchial injuries consists, depending on the severity, of emergency operation, in cases of tracheal rupture, haemorrhage or oesophageal injury, or of selective operation, in cases of minor injury and clinically stable patient. In the diagnostic pathways, the clinical examination is followed by radiologic imaging, angiography, computer tomography, and tracheo-bronchio-esophagoscopy. Particularly dangerous are total tear-offs of the trachea, tracheal contusions, tracheal or oesophageal fistula and postoperative stenosis of the trachea. The prognosis of the patient is largely dependent on an early diagnosis and good interdisciplinary management.

Treatment of bipolar, seizure, and sleep disorders and migraine headaches utilizing a chiropractic technique.

OBJECTIVE: To discuss the use of an upper cervical technique in the case of a 23-year-old male patient with rapid-cycling bipolar disorder, sleep disorder, seizure disorder, neck and back pain, and migraine headaches. CLINICAL FEATURES: The patient participated in a high school track meet at age 17, landing on his head from a height of 10 ft while attempting a pole vault. Prior to the accident, no health problems were reported. Following the accident, the patient developed numerous neurological disorders. Symptoms persisted over the next 6 years, during which time the patient sought treatment from many physicians and other health care practitioners. INTERVENTION AND OUTCOME: At initial examination, evidence of a subluxation stemming from the upper cervical spine was found through thermography and radiography. Chiropractic care using an upper cervical technique was administered to correct and stabilize the patient's upper neck injury. Assessments at baseline, 2 months, and 4 months were conducted by the patient's neurologist. After 1 month of care, the patient reported an absence of seizures and manic episodes and improved sleep patterns. After 4 months of care, seizures and manic episodes remained absent and migraine headaches were reduced from 3 per week to 2 per month. After 7 months of care, the patient reported the complete absence of symptoms. Eighteen months later, the patient remains asymptomatic. CONCLUSION: The onset of the symptoms following the patient's accident, the immediate reduction in symptoms correlating with the initiation of care, and the complete absence of all symptoms within 7 months of care suggest a link between the patient's headfirst fall, the upper cervical subluxation, and his neurological conditions. Further investigation into upper cervical trauma as a contributing factor to bipolar disorder, sleep disorder, seizure disorder, and migraine headaches should be pursued.