C SPINE TRAUMA

Question 1

what are the four lines of assessment in the C spine and what are there relevance ?

Answer 1

1) Anterior vertebral line - anterior aspect of the vertebral bodies.
2) Posterior vertebral line - Posterior aspect of the vertebral bodies.
3) Spinolamina line - The chord runs between the spinolamina and the posterior vertebral line. Any disruption can cause impingement of the chord.
4) Tips of the spinous process.

Question 2

What is the normal measurement for the pre- vertebral soft tissue on a C spine ?

Answer 2

C1- C4 - should be no bigger than 50 percent of a vertebral body (on average 7mm.

C5- C7 - Should be no wider than 100 percent of the vertebral body.

Question 3

What is the normal Pre dental space in the C spine ?

Answer 3

Adults - 2-5mm or less.
Children -Larger than 5mm.

Question 4

What is the Harris ring and what is it’s relevance ?

Answer 4

This is a sclerotic ring at the base of C2.
It may look incomplete at the superior aspect. Disruption to the anterior or posterior aspect can indicate a fracture.