Presentation
Trauma, motor vehicle accident
Patient Data
Age: 25 years
Gender: Male
From the case:
Flexion teardrop fracture
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Mild narrowing of the C5-C6 intervertebral disc space. There is widening of the C5-C6 interspinous distance posteriorly with the fat stranding and low-attenuation change in the soft tissues suggestive of ligamentous injury. Subtle distraction of the facet joints.
There is no obvious epidural hematoma identified within the limits of this CT resolution. No significant central canal stenosis.
Case Discussion
Flexion teardrop fractures indicate extensive underlying ligamentous injury and are unstable. They are caused by high energy axial compressive force over a flexed cervical spine. Associated spinal cord injury is common.
Case co-author: Rehana Jaffer, MD, FRCPC
(case courtesy of Dr Mathieu Boily)
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