Purpose: Odontoid fractures are the most common cervical spine injuries in the elderly. Although octogenarians are the fastest growing age group, limited data exists on the natural history after they sustain odontoid fractures. Published mortality rates vary greatly, but are high enough to elicit comparisons to post-hip fracture mortality. It has also been suggested that halo-vest immobilization independently predicts mortality.

Method: All traumatic odontoid fractures (type II or III) seen at our institution between 1996 and 2008 were identified and only patients who were ≥ 80 years of age were selected. A retrospective chart review was performed for injury characteristics, comorbidities, hospitalization details, treatment regimen and documented complications. Patients were stratified using the Charlson comorbidities index. The primary outcome was mortality at one year and was identified using a provincial database.

Results: 72 cases were identified. Median age was 86 years (range 80 to 102). Patient treatment regimens included rigid neck collar, Halo vest orthosis, surgery or a combination thereof. 31% percent of the cohort (22 patients) was treated by Halo vest immobilization. Overall 1-year mortality rate was 15% (n=11) with only 1 Halo vest patient dying during this period. The majority of deaths (9 / 11) occurred in first 2 weeks following the injury.

Conclusion: Mortality rate in the octogenarian population sustaining an odontoid fracture is high and approaches the 1-year hip fracture mortality rate. The utilization of a Halo vest was not associated with increased mortality rate in our study. Optimal treatment regimens, and strategies to minimize morbidity, particularly in the early post-injury phase, necessitate further study.