3. Spine
- Andrea Donovan MD3,
- Mark Schweitzer MD4
Published Online: 22 OCT 2012
DOI: 10.1002/9781118551691.ch3
Copyright © 2012 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Book Title
Imaging Musculoskeletal Trauma: Interpretation and Reporting
Additional Information
How to Cite
Heyn, C. and Glikstein, R. Spine, in Imaging Musculoskeletal Trauma: Interpretation and Reporting (eds A. Donovan and M. Schweitzer), John Wiley & Sons, Ltd, Oxford. doi: 10.1002/9781118551691.ch3
Editor Information
- 3
Department of Medical Imaging, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
- 4
Department of Diagnostic Imaging, The Ottawa Hospital, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada
Publication History
- Published Online: 22 OCT 2012
ISBN Information
Print ISBN: 9781118158814
Online ISBN: 9781118551691
- Summary
- Chapter
- References
Keywords:
- axial loading;
- cervical spine trauma;
- craniocervical junction;
- fractures;
- imaging tests;
- odontoid;
- spine;
- subaxial spine
Summary
The cervical spine is approached in two separate anatomic and functional regions: the craniocervical junction (occiput, C1 and C2) and the subaxial spine (C3 to C7). Injury to the craniocervical junction or cervical spine trauma is usually indirect, related to forces transmitted through the head. Current recommendations for initial imaging in adults with suspected cervical spine injury is a thin slice CT of the cervical spine. The most common fracture of C1 is a bilateral vertical fracture through the neural arch. Fractures of C2 may occur in isolation or in association with additional cervical spine fractures. The most common fracture of C2 involves the odontoid, followed by Hangman's fracture, anteroinferior endplate (hyperextension teardrop) and least commonly, isolated C2 body or posterior element fractures. A burst fracture commonly results from combined axial loading and flexion vector in C5, C6, and C7 locations. Compression fractures are common in elderly patients with osteoporosis.