Presentation
Loss of consciousness after a high-speed motor vehicle accident.
Patient Data
Cervical spine hyperflexion injury showing: Compression wedge fracture of C5 vertebra which shows anterior wedging and propulsion of bone fragment anteriorly (teardrop fracture) with posterior retropulsion of small adjacent avulsed bone fragment and its posterior endplate that is indenting the cervical cord. Mild posterior displacement of the C5 with dislocation of the right facet joint (right unilateral interlocking). The fracture involves both neural arches as well as the anterior part of the spinous process. C6 fracture involving posterior part of the vertebral body as well as both lamina (neural arch) with mild posterior displacement of the vertebral body ( both C5-C6 fracture narrowing the cervical canal at that level.
Case Discussion
Post traumatic car accident hyperflexion cervical spinal fractures.