Lecture two (x-ray-bones)-Exam 1 Flashcards
- Fill in the spaces
- Is this patient upright or supine?
- What is the long vertical radiolucency?
- Pt is supine since balls in middle
- Long vertical radiolucency is the trachea
- What x-ray is this? Fill in spaces
- What do you want to make sure lined up?
- How can you see odontoid?
- odontoid cervical spine
- Want to make sure the lateral masses are lined up, C1 and C2. Don’t want to see them out of line, would indicate fracture of C1 or C2 (depending on which body is displaced).
- Can only see odontoid through pt’s open mouth, so see teeth around it.
- What x-ray is this?
- What do you need to clear in trauma? with what views?
- Must see al C vertebrae up to what?
- Lateral C-Spine
- Always have to clear C-Spine in
trauma with AP+lateral or cervical series - Must see all C vertebrae up to
C7-T1 articulation to be able to
clear
- What x-ray is this? How it is different?
- What can you see?
- On oblique, you can see
the intervertebral foramina; not so on lateral.
- What view is this?
- What is preferred?
- What is it useful for?
- What is it not used for?
- When have cervical collar or unconscious –cannotget open mouth view.
- CT is preferred imaging modality for allC-spine fractures
- The Fuchs view is a type of modified Water’s view to demonstrate the odontoid tip.
- Odontoid process can be demonstrated by an exaggerated reverse Waters view called the Fuchs. When performed correctly is very useful for demonstrating the upper part of the odontoid tip but is not used for trauma imaging.
- What diagnosis test is this? What is wrong with the image?
- How many fractures are missed on conventional radiograph?
- What does CT provide?
- Up to 20 % of fractures are missed on conventional radiographs.
- C2 vertebral Body Fracture
- CT benefits include excellent visualization of canal and 3Dreconstruction
- Preferred modality if it is available
- Fill in the spaces?
- What type of test is this? What is it excellent at?
- What can you identify?
- What is this an example of?
- MRI spine imaging
- Excellent soft tissue and vascular contrast
- Can identify bony injury that is not evident on X-Ray
- Here is an example of a MRI image of the cervical spine demostrating a ligamentous injury. Notice that the spinal cord is also very well delinated. A dens fracture is not obvious on the lateral film, but is clearly revealed on MRI. (Med-ed.virginia.edu)
What view is this?
What does it enhance?
- Swimmers View-> for supine and pt who cannot move or have a large BMI
- Enhances C7-T1 visualization
What is this image?
* You should only do this when?
* Why do you do this?
* What can you look for?
Flexion and extension C-spine
* Only done if patient is stable and has NO chance for unstable Fracture.
* Flexion and extension views may be used if a pure soft tissue injury is suspected or an injury of questionable stability is noted. The patient should perform the flexion and extension voluntarily.
* Flexion/extension views are absolutely contraindicated in documented unstable injuries.
* Might look for clayshoveler’sfracture (C6, 7, or T1). Someone who shovels clay (heavy) ends up with these fractures.->not necessarily a fracture that causes paralysis. Need todistinguishit from a HANGMAN’S FRACTURE.
- Who needs c-spine imaging?
- What does every patient need?
- Mental status less than alert or intoxicated
- Reports neck pain
- Midline neck tenderness
- Neurologic signs and symptoms
- Distracting injury (i.e. painful injuries elsewhere, e.g. extremity fractures)
- Every patient needs all 3 views
What is NEXUS Criteria for C-Spine Imaging?
What happens in the field and ED for trauma C-spine?
In the field:
* Cross table c-spine: the first and mostimportant radiograph
In the ED
* CT C-Spine w/o contrast
Fill in
* Assess the four paraelle line?
* These lines should follow what? Any malaligment should be considered what?
Assess four parallel lines. These are:
1. Anterior vertebral line (anterior margin of vertebral bodies)
2. Posterior vertebral line (posterior margin of vertebral bodies)
3. Spinolaminar line (posterior margin of spinal canal)
4. Posterior spinous/process line (tips of the spinous processes)
- These lines should follow a slightly lordotic curve, smooth and without step-offs.
- Any malalignment should be considered evidence of ligmentous injury or occult fracture, and cervical spine immobilization should be maintained until a definitive diagnosis is made.
What do you need to do first for clearing the c spine?
Examine each spinal line to ensurethat itis smooth and contiguous. Anyinterruption is abnormal.
* Anterior Vertebral line
* Posterior Vertebral line
* Spinolaminalline
* Posterior Spinous
Play close attention to thespinolaminal line on t he lateral c-spine film to avoid what?
to avoid missinga C2 traumatic spondylolisthesis (hangman’s fracture)
What do you do second for clearing the c-spine?
Examine all seven cervical vertebralbodies to determine the following:
* Cortical margins are intact (no step offs)
* Height is maintained, no evidence ofcompression
* C7 is in normal alignment with T1
Clearing the C-spine:
* What should the anterior margin of the forament magnum line with?
* The posterior margin of foramen magnum should line up with what?
- The anterior margin of the foramen magnum should line up with the dens.
- The posterior margin of foramen magnum should line up with the C1 spinolaminal line.
What is the 3rd, fourth and fifth steps for clearing C-spine?
3.Determine whether the spinous processesare intact
4. Evaluate disk spaces for abnormalwidening or narrowing
5. Measure predental space (see arrow)
What is this?
Predental space
What is the 6th, 7th and 8th steps for clearing the c-spine?
- Examine odontoid process to be sure it isintact and does not protrude into the baseof the skull
- Measure the prevertebral soft tissues
- Assess the normal cervical lordosis
A patient arrived at the ED on backboard and a cervical collar. He has a blood alcohol level of 0.2. He does not complain of any neck pain.
* Should the patient get a complete cervical series?
YESSSSSSS, mental impaired
- What is the predental space?
- The prevertebral soft tissues can be used as an indicator of what?
- The normal width of the prevertebral tissue decreases down from what vertabrae?
- What is the normal measurement from C1-C4? Below C5?
- Air within soft tissue could suggests what?
- Predental space, the distance between the anterior surface of the odontoid process and posterior aspect of the anterior ring of C1.
- The prevertebral soft tissues can be used as an indicator of an acute swelling or hemorrhage resulting from an injury, and may sometimes be the only indicator of an acute injury on an x-ray.
- The normal width of the prevertebral tissue decreases down from C1 to C4 and increases from C4 downwards.
- Normal measurements from C1 to C4 are less than 7 mm (less than half of the vertebral body at this level), and less than 22 mm below the C5 (less than the vertebral body at this level).
- Air within soft tissue could suggest rupture of the esophagus or trachea.Space between lower cervical vertebrae and trachea should be < 1 vertebral body.
What are the soft tissue measurement?
This patient was involved in an MVA. He complained of severe neck pain shortly after the event. The lateral film is obtained.
* What’s your assessment?
Cervicothoracic junction is a very common site of injury
* Nothing yet becasue have to see C7-T1
What is this?
C-Spine Fractures
What are the unstable cervical spine fractures?
- Jefferson (C1)
- Bit (B/L)
- Off (odontoid)
- A (any combo of fracture dislocation)
- Hangman’s (pedicles break)
- Thumb (tear-drop fracture)
What is a jefferson’s (C1) fracture?
- Right: the lateral displacement of C1 indicates a Jefferson fracture.
- Axial compression refers to force applied directly over the vertex in the caudal direction. This compression force “like smashing a cracker” may result in Jefferson fracture, a bursting fracture on the atlas.
3-4 breaks, altis gone
What are the odontoid fracture types? (3)
What is this?
Odontoid Process Fractures
What is this?
Type one of odontoid fracture (just tip)
What is an hangman’s fracture?
Hangman’s Fracture (C2)
* fractures through the pars interaticularis of the axis resulting from hyperextension and distraction
Straight through vert body
What is this?
What is common cause of hangman’s
Hyperextension refers to excessive extension of the neck in the sagital plane. A common cause of hyperextension injury is hitting the dash board in MVA, which may result in Hangman’s fracture.
- What is a teardrop fracture?
- What is a common cause?
- What does it result in?
- Hyperflexion refers to excessive flexion of the neck in the sagital plane.
- It results in disruption of the posterior ligament. A common cause of hyperflexion injury is diving in shallow water, which may result in flexion tear drop fracture. Jefferson fracture may co-occur.
What is bilateral facel dislocation? What causes this?
complete anterior dislocation of the vertebral body resulting from extreme hyperflexion injury. It is associated with a very high risk of cord damage.
- What is this?
- What does is result from?
- Could be confused with what?
Unilateral Facet Dislocation
* Facet joint dislocation and rupture of the apophyseal joint ligaments resulting from rotatory injury of the cervical vertebrae: simultaneous flexion and rotation.
* Could be confused with spondylolisthesis
What is shaken baby syndrome mechanism and what is shown on X ray?
Atlanto-occipital dissociation
- What is this?
- What is the cause of this fracture?
Clay Shoveler’s Fracture
* Fracture of a spinous process in cervical and upper thoracic spine
* Powerful hyperflexion, usually combined with contraction of paraspinous muscles pulling on spinous processes (e.g. shoveling).
NOT UNSTABLE so no need to immobilize
- What is this?
- What causes this?
Wedge Fracture
* Compression fracture resulting from flexion.
* Very common in ED setting
- What is this?
- What is injury to?
Burst Fracture:
* Axial Compression Fracture
* Injury to spinal cord, secondary to displacement of posterior fragments, is common.
What is a normal predental space in an adult c-spine evaluation?
<3mm
All suspected and confirmed fractures need to be what?
Fracture Management
* All suspected and confirmed fractures need to be immobilized.
What is this?
Thoracic (T) Spine
Thoracic (T) Spine:
* Routine exam consists of what?
* The lateral view is obtained during what?
* In the normal spine, the anterior cortex should have what?
* What gets larger on lateral view?
* What can usually be seen in AP view? ANy displacement can be a sign of what?
- The routine examination consists of AP and lateral views.
- The lateral view is obtained during quiet respiration to blur out the overlying pulmonary vessels.
- In the normal spine, the anterior cortex should have a smooth margin in the lateral view.
- Also on lateral view, vertebral bodies and disc spaces get larger with caudal progression.
- On the AP view, a paravertebral soft tissue line can usually be seen. Any displacement of this line can be a sign of swelling helpful for the diagnosis of injury.
What image is this?
Lateral T Spine
Lateral T Spine:
* Take what often? What does it do?
* Look for what?
Take shallow breaths often –blursthe ribs and see vertebrae better. Look for cracks andstep-offs, compressions (decreased height), wedging of vertebral bodies.
What is this?
CT/MR T-Spine
* betterfor backboard/ cant move, large bmi pts
Fill in and what image is this?
What is the scottie dog apperarance?
Is flexion C-Spine xray appropriate if you suspect teardrop fracture?
No, have cervical damage
flexion xray one if they have no c-spine trauma
Which cervical injury mandates neurosurgery consultation in absence of any neurovascular compromise?
1. Clay Shovelers Fracture
2. Wedge Fracture
3. Odontoid Fracture
4. Compression Fractur
Which one sis unstable?
odontoid because it is unstable
- What is degen joint disease?
- What are the two main types?
- Note what?
- What is decreased?
- What might be present?
- What is spondylosis and spondylolysis and spondylolistehsis?
What are these images?
Left spondylolysis
Right Spondylolisthesis
What are these images?
Spondylolysis and Spondylolisthesis
HPI reports that patient fell off the roof and has bilateral calcaneal fractures
Left: Fracture through the vertebrae body?
Right: compression and teardrop
What is this?
burst
What is this?
What must be done on a scoliosis patient?
Scoliosis series
* Must perform entire spine in one image
What is this?
Sacroilliac Joint Series
What images are these
Sacrum/Coccyx Series
- What are the five bones that comprise the pelvis?
- Most trauma to the pelvis and hips can be evaluated with what?
- CT of the pelvis is the technique of choice for evaluating what?
- Symptoms from fractures of the hip, acetabulum and pelvis may be quite similar, thus, what needs to be done?
- The femurs should be positioned how?
- The five bones that comprise the pelvis are the ilium, ischium, pubis, sacrum, and coccyx.
- Most trauma to the pelvis and hips can be evaluated with an AP projection of the pelvis and hips. Other injuries require special projections such as anterior and posterior obliques views of the pelvis, frog-lateral view of the hip and groin-lateral view.
- CT of the pelvis is the technique of choice for evaluating complex fracture patterns, degree of displacement and soft tissue injury.
- Symptoms from fractures of the hip, acetabulum and pelvis may be quite similar, thus, a full AP pelvis radiograph including the hip must be obtained if any of the above fractures are expected.
- The femurs should be internally rotated when obtaining an AP pelvis film so that the femoral necks can be appropriately assessed for fractures.
Fill in
* What is severe pelvic trauma is associated with what?
Severe pelvic trauma is associated with hemorrhage in approximately 60% of cases. Hemorrhage is a principle factor leading to death in this patient population.
- What is this?
- Most commonly what is disrupted?
Calcified healed sacral fracture in image
What is this?
Skeletal Imaging:
* What is the preferred method of imaging?
* CT and MRI should be selected how?
* Order x-rays that include what?
* Lower extremities may include what?
* What should you descibe?
Why Weight-bearing vs non weight-bearing?
- Some physicians feel you can assess joint space narrowing (JSN) better with weight-bearing films rather than the non weight bearing films.
- Its usually standard practice to get both with lower extremity fractures.
What do you need to do first with fracture?
Explain the different fractures
What is the OLD ACID menemonic for fracture?
What is intraarticular, supracondylar, intertrochanteric, subtrochanteric?
What is a fracture/dislocation?
What is dislocation with fracture?
How do you need to orient the fracture line?
Some physicians feel you can assess joint space narrowing (JSN) better with weight-bearing films rather than the non weight bearing films.
Its usually standard practice to get both with lower extremity fractures.
What do you need with location of fracture?
How do you describe intrinsic bone quality?
Same or different fracture?
lateral midshaft femur
subtrochanteric
suparchondylar
medial midshaft displacement of radius and ulna
intrarticular radial head fracture
What is an open fracture?
* All require what?
* What is a risk?
Open Fractures:
* What an increased risk?
* What may occur?
* What is Txt?
* Ask about what?
Where can a fracture occur?
What is salter harris?
What are the different types of salter harris?
What is this?
What is this?