Presentation
Road traffic accident, neck pain, no neurological deficit.
Patient Data
Bilateral pars fractures of C2 seen on the lateral projections.
Bilateral traumatic spondylolysis (pars fracture) of C2 in keeping with a Hangman's fracture.
On the right, the fracture extends to the right pedicle and right foramen transversarium.
Although a profound injury, yet no anterior dislocation but rather a subtle anterior subluxation of C2/3.
Fracture line seen again.
No evidence of cord contusion or oedema.
Case Discussion
Traumatic pars fractures (spondylolysis) of C2 extending into right foramen transversarium in keeping with a Hangman's fracture (Levine and Edwards type II). Unfortunately, this was not followed by a contrast study to assess the right vertebral artery. However, the patient was neurologically free and stable as she walked through to do plain film. Subsequent MRI shows no cord contusion/oedema.