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Spinal Trauma Imaging Approach to Diagnosis Part II

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Hyperextension Injury

spinal trauma el paso tx.
  • Hangman’s Fx aka traumatic spondylolisthesis of C2 with a fracture of pars interarticularis or pedicles (unstable)
  • MVA is the most common cause
  • Mechanism: acute hyperextension of upper C/S similar to judicial hanging (never actually seen and most deaths are due to asphyxiation)
  • Secondary flexion may tear PLL and disc
  • Associated injuries: 30% have other c-spine fx especially Extension teardrop at C2 or C3 due to avulsion by ALL
  • Cord paralysis may only present in 25% due to bony fragments dissociation and canal widening
  • Hangman fx and extension teardrop
  • Cervical degeneration and previous fusion is a key predisposing factor due to the lack of mobility and suppleness, rendering C/S easy to fracture
  • Imaging: initial x-radiography then CT that helps to delineate another injury such as facet/pedicle Fx further. MRI may help if complicated by Vertebral A. damage
  • Management: if type 1 injury then closed reduction and rigid collar for 4-6 weeks, halo bracing if type 2 (>3-5mm displacement) Fx/instability, anterior or posterior spinal fusion at C2-3 if type 3 Fx (>5-mm displacement)
spinal trauma el paso tx.
  • Extension teardrop Fx (stable) potentially unstable if put in extension
  • Avulsion of an inferior anterior body by ALL. More seen in elderly with superimposed C/S spondylosis
  • Key radiography: a smaller anterior-inferior body corner, no disruption of ligamentous alignment. Typically at C2 or C3 due to sudden hyperextension and ALL avulsion
  • Complication: central cord syndrome (m/c incomplete cord injury) esp. in superimposed spondylosis and canal stenosis by the laxity of ligamentum flavum and osteophytes
  • Management: hard collar isolation
spinal trauma el paso tx.

Vertical (axial) Compression Injury

  • Jefferson Fx (named after British neurosurgeon who defined it) (unstable but neurologically intact Fx) 7% of all C/S injuries. Stability is dependent if the transverse ligament is intact or torn, which can be noted by overhanging of C1 lateral masses over C2 >5-mm combined (left image)
  • Mechanism: C1 compression (e.g., diving into shallow waters) causing burst Fx-classically 4-parts of the anterior and posterior arch of C1. Variations exist.
  • Complications: 50% show other C/S Fx, 40% show Odontoid C2 Fx esp. if extension and axial loading occur
spinal trauma el paso tx.
  • Imaging: x-radiography followed by CT scanning to evaluate subaxial injury and complexity of C1 injury. Note Jefferson Fx with pillar and transverse foramina fx requiring posterior occipital-cervical fusion (below right image).
  • Management: rigid collar immobilization if the transverse ligament is intact. Halo brace or fusion if the transverse ligament is ruptured
spinal trauma el paso tx.

Cervical Injuries With Variable Mechanisms of Trauma

  • Odontoid process fractures:
  • These occur with a variety of mechanisms, flexion, extension, lateral flexion. Elderly with superimposed spondylosis are at higher risk.
  • Anderson & D’Alonzo classification (below). Type 2 is the most common and most unstable. Type 3 has the best chance of healing d/t more massive bleed into C2 body and better healing potential.
  • Imaging: x-radiography can miss some Fx. CT scanning is essential.
  • On x-radiography note tilting of the Dens on lateral and APOM views. CT will reveal the injury and classify it.
  • Complications: cord injury, non-union
spinal trauma el paso tx.
  • CT scanning: type 2 odontoid fracture (unstable)
  • Management: type 1 (alar ligament avulsion) most stable observed and treated with rigid collar.
  • In young patients, Halo brace is used to treat type 2
  • Older patients do not tolerate Halo
  • Operative C1-2 fusion if unstable is Dx and cord signs or other complicating factors are present
spinal trauma el paso tx.

Normal Radiographic Variants & Anomalies Simulating Pathology

  • Pediatric spine appears different especially in children younger than 10-years old.
  • Normal variations; ADI 5-mm and may increase or decrease on flexed/extended views by 1-2-mm
  • C2-3 may appear as pseudo-subluxation due to normal ligamentous laxity in children (below arrow)
  • Pediatric vertebral bodies usually are narrower and anteriorly wedged due to the presence of cartilaginous tissue
spinal trauma el paso tx.
  • APOM view appears different in children, and some asymmetry of C1 articular masses is normal (below top image) and should not be confused with Jefferson Fx
  • In adults, any asymmetry or “overhanging” of C1 articular masses is pathological and may indicate Jefferson fx
spinal trauma el paso tx.
  • Standard ossification centers of the Atlas synchondrosis in children should not be mistaken for fractures
spinal trauma el paso tx.
  • Persistent ossiculum terminal of Bergman is a typical variant/anomaly of tenacious un-united ossification center and should not be confused with type odontoid fx
spinal trauma el paso tx.
  • Os odontoideum
  • Un-united growth center that currently considered as an un-noticed injury that disturbed normal growth in a child younger than 5-years-old
  • It may be a cause of C1-2 instability and should be evaluated with flexed and extended cervical views
  • Should not be confused with type 2 Dens fracture because it typically more demonstrates greater mineralization of bone
spinal trauma el paso tx.
  • Incomplete bilateral agenesis of the C1 posterior arch
  • Anomalous closure of C1 posterior arch
  • Should not be confused with a fracture
  • However, local or cord symptoms may develop after trauma in some cases
  • Relatively rare anomaly developing due to failed chondrogenesis and ossification of posterior ossification centers of the Atlas
spinal trauma el paso tx.
  • Patients with Down syndrome may suffer from increased ligamentous laxity and other abnormalities
  • Increased risk of subluxation at C1-2
spinal trauma el paso tx.
  • Burst Fx (unstable) 2-columns are damaged
  • Mechanism: axial loading with frequent flexion after falls and MVAs
  • The thoracolumbar region is the most vulnerable due to the increased fulcrum of motion
  • Key radiography: acute compression fracture and collapse of body height, retropulsion of posterior body and acute kyphotic deformity on the lateral view
  • On the frontal view: interpedicular widening (below yellow arrow), regional soft tissue swelling (below green arrow)
spinal trauma el paso tx.
  • Imaging: x-radiography should be followed by CT scanning w/o contrast
  • MRI if neurologically unstable due to cord or conus injury
  • Complications: cord damage by acutely retropulsed bone fragments
  • Management: non-operative if neurologically intact and <50% body retropulsed with minimal kyphosis
  • Operative (fusion) if 50% or more body retropulsed, laminar/pedicle Fx, neuro compromised
spinal trauma el paso tx.

18-Year Old Female Following Trampoline Accident

  • AP & lateral L/S views
  • Note acute compression fracture, a vertebral body extending to posterior elements
  • Widening of the inter-spinous distance between T11-T12 (below arrow)
  • Radiolucent fracture line is seen through the T12 body on the AP projection
  • CT scanning was performed
spinal trauma el paso tx.
  • Sagittal reconstructed Thoracic and Lumbar CT slices in bone window
  • Note acute compression fracture, the T12 body extending into pedicle and lamin
  • Dx: Chance fracture of T12
  • MR imaging was performed
spinal trauma el paso tx.
  • T2 Wl sagittal MRI
  • Findings: acute compression fracture T12 body extending to posterior elements causing rapture of interspinous and flavum ligaments
  • Mild compression of the distal cord above the conus is noted with a minimal signal abnormality
  • Dx: Chance fracture
spinal trauma el paso tx.
  • Chance Fx aka (Seatbelt Fx) – is a flexion-distraction injury (unstable)
  • M/C in lower thoracic-upper lumbar
  • All 3-columns fail: column 3 torn by distraction, columns 1 and 2 fail on compression (Denis classification)
  • Causes: MVA, falls
  • Imaging: initial x-radiography should be followed by CT scanning w/o contrast to assess bone fragments retropulsion/canal compression. MRI may help to evaluate potential cord damage and ligaments tearing
  • Management: non-operative immobilization if neuro intact
  • Operative decompression and fusion
spinal trauma el paso tx.

Spinal Trauma Imaging Approach

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