[Possibilities and limits of therapy of injuries of the cervical vertebrae with halo fixation].

74 patients were treated with a Halo-thoracic brace in the Department of Traumatology of the AK St. Georg between 1980 and 1986. Of these, 61 had fractures of the cervical spine, nine had tumor-osteolysis, and four had inflammatory destructions of the vertebrae. In almost all cases of fractures of the upper cervical spine (C0-C2) bone healing occurred with applying the Halo fixation alone. In the middle and lower cervical spine, however, secondary operative measures were often necessary because of persistent instabilities, redislocations or neurologic disturbances. New experience in the palliative treatment of malignant osteolysis of the cervical spine shows, that restabilisation of the segments concerned can be achieved by the combined use the Halo apparatus, surgical resection of the involved vertebral bodies with bone grafting and radiotherapy. A new radiolucent Halo apparatus broadens diagnostic and therapeutic facilities.