Spine and Pelvis Flashcards
Symphysis angle in men compared to women
Men: <90 degrees
Women: >90 degrees
Ultrasound is used in the evaluation of these four types of spine conditions
Neonatal spine conditions:
- Tethered cord
- Meningocele
- Hydromyelia
- Syrinx
The spinal cord sits between these two lines of alignment when seen from the lateral view
Between posterior spinal line and spinolaminar line
Best diagnostic test for spine pain
MRI
Three things seen in degenerative changes of the spine
- Misalignment
- No/reduced disc spaces
- Wispy osteophytes
In imaging the lumbar spine to look for suspected fractures of the articular facets and pars interarticularis, what view is preferred?
Oblique
In imaging the thoracic spine to look for fractures and dislocations, is an AP or lateral view preferred?
Lateral
Use this view to visualize displacement of pubic rami fractures in a pelvic x-ray
Inlet view
Is a nuclear scan more sensitive or specific?
- Sensitive
- Non-specific
This type of pelvic fracture is associated with separation of the pubic symphysis
Pelvic dislocation/sprung pelvis
- also has disruption of both sacroiliac joints
In imaging the lumbar spine to look for fractures, is an AP or lateral view preferred?
Lateral
What gets broken in a shoveler’s fracture?
Spinous process of C6
Two indications for myelography
- Disc herniation
- Spinal stenosis
What is cauda equina syndrome, what causes it, and how is it treated?
- Compression of the nerve roots forming the cauda equina ( tail end of spinal cord)
- Caused by disc herniations or abscesses, anything that can compress nerves
- Treat as a surgical emergency
Differentiate an unstable from a stable pelvic fracture
Unstable:
- 2+ sites of fracture
- More common
Stable:
- Single or peripheral fractures
(pelvis is a ring, difficult to have a single fracture)
What is myelography and what is it used for?
- Fluoroscopy + injection of contrast material
- Alternative to MRI
- Evaluates the spinal cord, nerve roots, and meninges
- Indications: disc herniation, spinal stenosis
Complications associated with pelvic fractures
- Hemorrhage
- Ruptured bladder
- Ruptured urethra (get urethrogram on evaluation)
- Neurologic injury
A break in the lamina of C2 is known as this type of fracture
Hangman’s fracture
Acetabular fractures are best seen on pelvic x-rays from this view
Judet/oblique view
What condition is suspected when the “scottie dog” has a collar or looks decapitated?
Both relate to pars interarticularis fractures
- Collar: Spondylolysis
- Decapitated: Spondylotlisthesis
Pars interarticularis fractures should be suspected in this type of patient
Young college/high-school athlete with back pain
