Screws loosening in cervical anterior plate fixation

Case contributed by Bruno Di Muzio
Diagnosis certain

Presentation

Image performed in the context of a MVA.

Patient Data

Age: 29-year-old
Gender: Female

CT Cervical spine

ct
This study is a stack
Sagittal
bone window
This study is a stack
Coronal
bone window
This study is a stack
Axial bone
window
This study is a stack
Sagittal
non-contrast
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Info

The craniocervical junction is intact.

Normal spinal alignment preserved. Straightening of the cervical lordosis.

No vertebral body fractures or facet joint dislocations. Previous ACDF involving C6, C7, and T1.

There is loosening of the T1 screws and residual instability (without static subluxation) at C7-T1.

Anterior plate well applied.

No regions of high-grade cervical canal or neural foramen stenosis.

Case Discussion

This case shows loosening of the T1 ACDF screws characterized by a rim of lucency around the screw, which exceeds 2 mm. 

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