week 3: C-spine

Question 1

what signifies a c1-c2 dislocation

Answer 1

on a lateral projection, if joint space exceeds 2.5mm, this indicates rupture of transverse ligament.
and therefor dislocation

Question 2

what are the 4 spinal lines?

Answer 2

1. Anterior vertebral line
2. Posterior Vertebral line
3. Spinolaminar line
4. Spinous process line

Question 3

How to read a lateral c-spine projection/ identify injury.

Answer 3

AABCS
A: adequacy (image adequacy e.g 7 vertebra, no rotation?)
A: alignment (4 spino lines are normal)
B: Bones (#?)
C: Cartilage (joint spaces)
S: Soft tissue (prevertebral space)

Question 4

what is Jeffersons #, what image is it best seen on

Answer 4

fracture of anterior and posterior arch. seen best on PEG view, with increased joint spaces seen

Question 5

What is Hangmans # ?

Answer 5

double pars # of c2.
spondlolysis of c2.
often associated with c2/c3 dislocation

Have type 1,2,3 all of which depend on displacement (1=no displacement)

Question 6

What are the three types of DENS #?

Answer 6

1. avulsion of tip
2. # at junction (most common/ hardest to heal)
3. Beneath junction

Question 7

What is a teardrop fracture?

Answer 7

1) a extension tear drop # occurs at anterior inferior border of c2.

normal teardrop # is at any vertebral body

Question 8

what is clay shovelers #

Answer 8

fracture in spinous process of either c6,c7,t1

Question 9

what is Retrolisthesis

Answer 9

degeneration of disc. results in posterior displacement of body

Question 10

what is Anterolisthesis

Answer 10

degeneration of facet joint (seen posteriorly on vertebral body). causes anterior movement