The pathological findings in fatal craniospinal injuries

✓ A series of 50 fatal cases of craniospinal injury were reviewed with particular attention to the pathological findings at the craniospinal junction. There was marked tendency for the spinal cord to be damaged in the upper cervical segments, whereas disc injuries predominated in lower cervical segments. The vertebral artery was rarely involved. The lateral ligamentous structures were often damaged, while the transverse ligaments of the odontoid were spared. Rupture of muscles was rare, although hemorrhage into muscles was common.