Der Orthopäde
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On the one hand, out of 115 patients admitted to hospital with 162 various fractures of the cervical spine without injury to the spinal cord, only 3 (2.6%) had an associated lesion to the brachial plexus or nerves in the vicinity. On the other hand, among 500 consecutive patients with injuries to the brachial plexus, 55 (11%) presented fractures of the cervical spine (including T1 and the 1st rib), whiplash injuries, severe distortions and dislocations, and contusions of that vertebral segment. ⋯ Fractures around the shoulder-girdle as well as arterial ruptures are also significant for this severe nerve injury. Of these patients 39 (71%), were victims of motorcycle accidents.