Cervical spine fractures with vertebral artery dissection

Case contributed by Andrew Dixon
Diagnosis certain

Presentation

High speed car accident.

Patient Data

Age: 30
Gender: Male

Type 3 dens fracture, left sided cervical transverse process fractures and C7 spinous process fracture. Impression of thin anterior epidural hematoma extending inferiorly from the dens fracture. Traumatic occlusion of the left vertebral artery with enhancement in the intracranial portion likely due to retrograde flow and short segment enhancement at the C3 level due to a collateral vessel. Fractures involve the left transverse foramen at C5 and C6 and the left C7 transverse process fracture is significantly displaced. The traumatic left vertebral artery dissection probably occurred in this region. 

Case Discussion

Multiple cervical injuries including type 3 dens fracture, left transverse process fractures, C7 spinous process fracture and traumatic left vertebral artery dissection / occlusion. 

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