A missed Jefferson fracture in chiropractic practice.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To review the case of a missed cervical spine fracture in a patient with neck pain. CLINICAL FEATURES A 21-year-old thatcher with neck pain presented to a chiropractic clinic after a fall from a roof 4 m high. The hospital radiographs were read as normal. The chiropractor suspected a Jefferson fracture of the atlas after evaluation of the same radiographs. INTERVENTION AND OUTCOME: The chiropractor retook the anteroposterior open-mouth radiograph to confirm the suspected fracture. The patient was referred for further imaging and underwent neurosurgical treatment, after which he recovered well. CONCLUSION: Normal radiologic reports from a hospital cannot be relied on for contraindications to manipulative treatment in all instances, as shown in this case of a missed fracture. Chiropractors should therefore always evaluate radiographs that are brought to them.