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Spinous process fractures (C3-C5)

Case contributed by Maxime St-Amant
Diagnosis certain

Presentation

50 years-old male with neck pain after shovelling snow.

Patient Data

Age: 55
Gender: Male

Lateral x-ray shows spinous process fractures from C3 to C5. Bilateral fracture of C6 laminae.

The patient is wearing a cervical collar.

CT-scan confirms the findings with multiple spinous process fractures on plain film which are compatible with a clay shoveler's fracture. 

Case Discussion

Usually, clay shoveler fractures are solitary, of C6 or C7. In this case multiple fractures are present.  This is a stable cervical spine fracture.

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