Clay-shoveler fracture

Case contributed by David Cuete
Diagnosis certain

Presentation

Neck pain after car accident.

Patient Data

Age: 35 years
Gender: Male

X-ray cervical spine

x-ray
Frontal
Lateral
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Info

Fracture through the spinous process of C6 vertebra.

CT Cervical spine

ct
This study is a stack
Axial bone
window
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Coronal
bone window
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Sagittal
bone window
This study is a stack
Sagittal
MIP
This study is a stack
3D 3D
MIP
This study is a stack
3D
VR
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Info

CT confirms an oblique fracture of the C6 vertebra with slight displacement. There is no extension to the lamina or facet joint on axial CT.

Case Discussion

This fracture (Clay-shoveler fracture) is mechanically stable unless the fracture is extended into the lamina. It is also important to evaluate the facet joint looking for fracture or dislocations.

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