1. Mid and lower cervical spine fractures. (A–C) Cervical burst fracture
Mid and lower cervical spine fractures. (A–C) Cervical burst fracture. (A) Lateral cervical spine radiograph demonstrating the characteristic, triangular shaped flexion “teardrop” fracture fragment (arrow) following a hyperflexion and axial load injury. (B) Midline sagittal CT image of the same patient redemonstrates the teardrop fracture (arrow) and better illustrates retropulsion of bone into the spinal canal (arrow head). (C) Axial CT image demonstrates a highly disorganized fracture, typical of this type of burst fracture. Bilateral lamina fractures (arrows) and comminuted vertebral body fracture (arrow head) are better visualized on CT. (D-G) 45-year-old male with neck pain and cerebellar symptoms following a fall from a mechanical bull. (D) Midline sagittal CT image viewing using bone windows demonstrates malalignment of C4 with respect to C5 (arrow) with corresponding widening of the interspinous distance (arrow head). (E) Parasagittal CT image (bone windows) at the level of the facet joints reveals a C5 articular facet fracture (arrow). (F) Coronal oblique CTA image viewed using soft tissue windows demonstrates marked focal narrowing of the vertebral artery (black arrow) at the level of the facet fracture. Axial diffusion weighted MRI image. (G) Demonstrates restricted diffusion (arrow) in the left cerebellar hemisphere compatible with acute cerebellar infarction.
Source: Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Trauma, 8e
Citation: Moore EE, Feliciano DV, Mattox KL. Trauma, 8e; 2017 Available at: Accessed: October 06, 2017
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