Abstract: Objective To study the mechanism, pathology, diagnosis and manage strategy of cervical fracture dislocation combined with anterior spinal cord syndrome (ASCS). Methods 32 cases of cervical fracture dislocation combined with ASCS from January 2012 to September 2014 were summarized. The mechanisms of injury and pathological characteristics were analyzed. All of them received surgical treatment. Anterior approach or anterior approach combined with posterior approach was chosen according to the characteristics of injury. Results All surgical treatments were successfully performed. There were 22 cases (68.75%) with hyperflexion, 5 cases (15.62%) with vertical hit, 1 case (3.12%) with hyperextension and 4 cases (12.5%) with multiple reasons. There were 4 cases (12.5%) with simple anterior dislocation, 28 cases (87.5%) with fracture combined with anterior dislocation. Only 8 cases were successfully diagnosed as ASCS, and the others (24 cases) were generally defined as spinal cord injury. Conclusion ASCS is not so rare. Hyperflexion injury is the most common mechanism. Anterior dislocation and fracture combined with anterior dislocation are the general types of pathology. Conscientious physical examination with CT and MRI can facilitate the diagnosis. Anterior approach or combined with posterior approach could be selected according to injury mechanism.

Key words: cervical vertebra, anterior spinal cord syndrome, hyperflexion injury