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Flexion cervical teardrop fracture
From WikEM
Contents
Background
- Is an unstable spine injury
Clinical Features
- Severe flexion > vertebral body colliding with the one below (shallow water diving injury, MVC deceleration)
- Most commonly at C5-C6
- Displacement of teardrop shaped fragment of antero-inferior portion of superior vertebra
- Leads to posterior displacement of vertebral body and disruption of posterior longitudinal ligament
- Frequently occurs with spinal cord injury[1]
- Associated with acute anterior cervical cord syndrome
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
- Cervical xrays or CT
Management
Prehospital Immobilization
See NAEMSP National Guidelines for Spinal Immobilization
Hospital
- C-collar
- Consult ortho or spine as needed
Disposition
- Admit
See Also
References
- ↑ Fujimura, Y., Nishi, Y., Chiba, K. and Kobayashi, K. (1995) ‘Prognosis of neurological deficits associated with upper cervical spine injuries’, Spinal Cord, 33(4), pp. 195–202.
