[Fractures of the dens of the 2d cervical vertebra and their treatment].

Fractures of the dens axis make 10-15 per cent to all injuries of the cervical portion of the vertebral column. The potential danger of these injuries and difficulties of their treatment are conditioned by anatomo-functional features of this portion of the spine. The mechanism of fractures of the dens axis is not clear yet. Clinical manifestations of dens axis fractures are determined by the character and extent of its desplacement. Its diagnosis is somewhat difficult sometimes. Conservative therapy is not always a success. The existing methods of surgical treatment of dens axis fractures make it possible to gain the cure nearly in all cases.