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There is loss of normal cervical lordosis, in keeping with muscular spasm with acute focal kyphosis noted at C5-6 level.

There is flexion teardrop fracture of C5 vertebral body. The fractured anterior teardrop fragment of C5 vertebral body is displaced anterosuperiorly and lying adjacent to anteroinferior corner of C5 vertebral body. The rest of the C5 vertebral body is retropulsed and causing moderately significant compression over the spinal cord. Fracture is also noted in posterosuperior corner of C6 vertebral body, which is also retropulsed and causing compression over the spinal cord.

There is long segment hyperintensity in cervical spinal cord extending from cervicomedullary junction down to C7-T1 level suggestive of cord edema, however no cord transection is present.

There is marrow edema in C4, C5, C6 and superior aspect of C7 vertebral bodies. Edema is also present in prevertebral and interspinous soft tissues extending from C1 down to C6. There is suggestion of facet subluxation at C5-6 level, however CT scan would be confirmatory.