Hangman fracture

Case contributed by Jeremy Jones
Diagnosis certain

Presentation

High speed road traffic accident. Passenger died at scene; driver extracated by fire crew. Loss of consciousness. Intubated and ventilated.

ct

Oblique fractures through the pedicles of C2 bilaterally. Anterior translation of C2 on C3 and increased interspinous distance from C1 to C2. These appearances are commonly referred to as the Hangman fracture.

Case Discussion

Hangman fracture with bilateral C2 pedicle fractures with underlying ligamentous injury resulting in instability with anterior displacement of C2 on C3 and widening of the C1/2 interspinous distance.

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