Presentation
Quadriplegia following cervical spine injury.
Patient Data
Flexion teardrop fracture of C5 comprises a triangular bone fragment at the anteroinferior corner of the vertebral body, tear of the anterior longitudinal ligament, retropulsion of the posterior vertebral body, focal kyphotic deformity, and narrowing of the spinal canal. Significant spinal cord compression, cord swelling, and cord edema, spanning from C2 to C7 are noted. There are foci of T1 hyperintensities, showing blooming artifacts on gradient echo sequence consistent with cord hemorrhage.
Case Discussion
MRI features are consistent with flexion teardrop fracture of C5. Flexion teardrop fractures represent a fracture pattern occurring in severe axial/flexion injury of the cervical spine. It is an unstable hyperflexion cervical spine injury associated with cord injury and quadriplegia. It most commonly occurs at the mid/lower cervical spine, specifically at C4, C5, or C6. This should not be confused with extension teardrop fractures, which tend to occur higher within the cervical spine and are considered less severe injuries.
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