Presentation
Fell while doing backflip the day before, presents with pain over the lower neck area.
Patient Data
Reversal of cervical lordotic curvature. Bone fragment is seen at the posteroinferior corner of C6 vertebral body.
Normal alignment of the cervical spine is preserved. No fracture is detected.
Nuchal ligament calcifications at C5 and C6 levels are noted.
Case Discussion
The nuchal ligament is a triangular fibrous membrane that spans from the external occipital protuberance to the spinous process of C7. Some reports have demonstrated that the nuchal ligament, as the most posterior ligament, plays an important role in maintaining the lordotic alignment and limiting excessive flexion of the cervical spine. Ossification of the nuchal ligament is defined as a radiopaque formation in the soft tissues behind the spinous processes of the cervical spine, which is usually asymptomatic but is often discovered by radiography taken for other clinical reasons in Asian patients aged > 40 years.
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