C-spine - C4 and C6 vertebral body fracture - Lateral

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C-spine - C4 and C6 vertebral body fracture - Lateral

  • Loss of height of the C4 vertebral body and loss of alignment at C4/5 indicates a fracture
  • A second fracture is seen at the anterior/inferior corner of the C6 vertebral body

C-spine - C5 and C7 vertebral body fractures

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C-spine - C5 and C7 vertebral body fractures

  • Fractures are seen at both C5 and C7
  • There is loss of alignment at several levels

C-spine - C3 and C4 vertebral body fractures

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C-spine - C3 and C4 vertebral body fractures

  • These 'flexion teardrop' fractures look relatively small, but each should be considered highly unstable
  • The fracture at C3 is nearly obscured by the immobilisation device
  • Care must be taken not to overlook these small, clinically important injuries
  • If a technically inadequate view shows a fracture - as in this case - then CT is used to complete imaging of the cervico-thoracic junction

Page author: Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust UK (Read bio)

Last reviewed: November 2018