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Anterior cervical wedge fracture
From WikEM
Contents
Background
- Only unstable if over half of vertebral height lost OR multiple adjacent wedge fractures
Clinical Features
- Neck pain after trauma
- May have cord injury symptoms (complete vs. incomplete)
Differential Diagnosis
Cervical Spine Fractures and Dislocations
- Atlanto-occipital dissociation
- C1
- C2
- C3-C7
- Cervical burst fracture
- Cervical spinous process fracture
- Extension cervical teardrop fracture
- Flexion cervical teardrop fracture
- Anterior cervical wedge fracture
- Cervical facet dislocation
Evaluation
- CT scan to evaluate
- MRI may be useful, especially if neuro symptoms, as often associated posterior ligamentous injury
Management
- Prehospital Immobilization see NAEMSP National Guidelines for Spinal Immobilization
- Keep in C-collar
