BACKGROUND: @entity174 of the odontoid process of the @entity2270 are the most common injury of the cervical spine in elderly @entity1 . Only little evidence exists on whether elderly @entity1 should be treated conservatively or surgically. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The mortality and survival probability of 51 @entity1 were determined in a retrospective study. The range of motion, @entity4048 index were clinically investigated. RESULTS: Of the 51 @entity1 37 were treated surgically and 14 conservatively. The conservatively treated group showed a higher mortality (64   % vs. 32   %). Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed a median survival of the conservatively treated group of 29 months, whereby during the first 3 months of treatment this group showed a higher survival probability and afterwards the surgically treated group showed a higher survival probability. The clinical examination of 20 @entity1 revealed limited range of motion of the cervical spine. Additionally, moderate levels of @entity158 and complaints were recorded using the neck disability index. CONCLUSION: Fractures of the odontoid process pose a far-reaching danger for elderly @entity1 . A balanced assessment of the general condition should be carried out at the beginning of treatment of these @entity1 . In the early phase following trauma no differences were found with respect to survival rates but for long-term survival the operatively treated group showed advantages; however, these advantages cannot be causally attributed to the choice of therapy.

[Type 2 dens XXXX in the elderly and therapy-linked mortality : Conservative or operative treatment].

@entity1 :: ('9606', 'Species') :: ['patients'] @entity174 :: ('MESH:D050723', 'Disease') :: ['Type II fractures'] @entity4048 :: ('MESH:D019547', 'Disease') :: ['pain and the neck disability'] @entity158 :: ('MESH:D010146', 'Disease') :: ['pain'] @entity2270 :: ('MESH:C566610', 'Disease') :: ['axis']
@entity174 :: (MESH:D050723,Disease) :: ['fracture']
