This site is targeted at medical and radiology professionals, contains user contributed content, and material that may be confusing to a lay audience. Use of this site implies acceptance of our Terms of Use.

Hyper extension teardrop fracture

Dr Yuranga Weerakkody and Dr Frank Gaillard et al.

An extension teardrop fracture typically occurs due to forced extension of the neck with resulting avulsion of the anteroinferior corner of the vertebral body. Extension injuries are stable in flexion, and unstable in extension as the anterior longitudinal ligament is disrupted. Extension teardrop is not as severe as it's counterpart, the flexion teardrop fracture.

Associations

central cord syndrome - acute traumatic central cord syndrome

Radiographic features

anterior-inferior corner fracture
- avulsion fracture from attachment of the anterior longitudinal ligament to the inferior corner of the vertebral body
- the fragment is triangular in shape reminiscent of a teardrop
- vertical height of fragment is equal to or greater than width
- in older patients C2 is commonly affected due to degenerative ankylosis of lower levels
widening of the interspinous distance at the same level or the level above
widening or mild rotatory subluxation of facet joints.
slight listhesis may be present

Additional fractures are common and thus CT scan is indicated in all cases.

References

This article is in need of some more references!
You can make a difference to Radiopaedia.org by adding some relevant ones.
1. Rao SK, Wasyliw C, Nunez DB. Spectrum of imaging findings in hyperextension injuries of the neck. Radiographics. 25 (5): 1239-54. doi:10.1148/rg.255045162 - Pubmed citation
2. Torretti JA, Sengupta DK. Cervical spine trauma. Indian J Orthop. 2007;41 (4): 255-67. doi:10.4103/0019-5413.36985 - Free text at pubmed - Pubmed citation