Anterior cervical wedge fracture

Background

• Unstable if over half of vertebral height lost OR multiple adjacent wedge fractures

Fracture at C6

Vertebral fractures and dislocations types

Vertebral anatomy.

• Cervical fractures and dislocations
  • Atlanto-occipital dissociation
  • C1
    • Jefferson fracture
    • C1 isolated anterior arch fracture
    • C1 isolated posterior arch fracture
  • C2
    • Odontoid fracture
    • Hangman's fracture
  • C3-C7
    • Cervical burst fracture
    • Cervical spinous process fracture
    • Extension cervical teardrop fracture
    • Flexion cervical teardrop fracture
    • Anterior cervical wedge fracture
  • Cervical facet dislocation
  • Isolated transverse process fracture
• Thoracic and lumbar fractures and dislocations
  • Chance fracture
  • Thoracic burst fracture
  • Lumbar burst fracture
  • Isolated transverse process fracture
  • Thoracic and lumbar compression fractures

Clinical Features

• Neck pain after trauma
• May have cord injury symptoms (complete vs. incomplete)

Differential Diagnosis

Neck Trauma

• Penetrating neck trauma
• Blunt neck trauma
  • Vertebral and carotid artery dissection
  • Strangulation
  • Whiplash injury
• Cervical injury
  • Cervical fractures and dislocations
  • Cervical injury (peds)
  • Cervical spine clearance
• Neurogenic shock
• Spinal cord injury

Evaluation

• CT scan to evaluate
• MRI may be useful, especially if neuro symptoms, as often associated posterior ligamentous injury

Management

• Prehospital Immobilization see NAEMSP National Guidelines for Spinal Immobilization
• Keep in C-collar

See Also

• Cervical spine injuries

External Links

• https://www.orthobullets.com/spine/2018/subaxial-cervical-vertebral-body-fractures