Spinal Imaging. Flashcards
Three cervical spine X-ray views
AP
Lateral
Odontoid
Extra cervical spine views
Flexion view
Extension view
Oblique
Swimmers
Thoracic spine X-ray views
AP and lateral
When to order an oblique cervical spine X-ray
To see the foremen directly
Lumbar spine views
Flexion
Extension
AP
Lateral
What to order when evaluating for scoliosis and kyphosis
Entire spine view (AP and Lateral)
When looking at alignment in a lateral cervical spine X-ray, look for
Anterior line
Posterior line
Spinolaminar li e
C1 Jefferson Fracture
Loss of integrity to ring structure, loses alignment with adjacent occipital bone and C2
Odontoid fracture
Fracture of the dens of C2 , often requires surgery to fix
A spinal cord injury above C4 can cause damage to what important nerve/structure
Phoenician nerve, affecting the inner action of the diaphragm
Clay shovelers fracture
Spinous process fractures in the cervical spine, generally considered stable
Spinous process fractures are typically caused by
Blunt force trauma to the spinous process itself, sometimes hard to see on X-ray due to overlying musculature of the rib cage
Perched facets injury
Transient dislocations may cause a perching of the facet joints and locking in place, preventing the recovery of normal alignment
Compression injuries include:
Compression fractures
Burst fractures
Chance fractures
Generally result of insufficient bone strength (osteoporosis) or forced hyperflexion (trauma)
Compression injuries
Can happen in cervical, thoracic or lumbar spine.
Compression of anterior column of the vertebral body, due to trauma or osteoporosis
Burst fracture
Compression injury of the anterior column with middle column involvement as well.
Middle portion can collapse back into the central canal, called “retropulsion “
Chance fracture
Compression and torsion injury that results in disruption of all 3 columns.
Highly unstable
Most common at thoracolumbar junction
Transverse process fracture
Occurs with severe lateral Flexion, almost always considered stable
Spondylolysis is when a small defect in the ______ develops into a larger separation, which can result in spondylolisthesis
Pars interarticularis
