Cervical burst fracture

Background
  • For C1 burst fracture, see Jefferson fracture
  • Unstable if:
    • Associated neurologic deficits
    • Loss of >50% of vertebral body height
    • >20 degrees of spinal angulation
    • Compromise of >50% of spinal canal
    • Axial compression > nucleus pulposus forced into vertebral body

Clinical Features
  • Neck pain in the setting of trauma
  • Complete or incomplete spinal cord injury common

Differential Diagnosis

Cervical Spine Fracture and Dislocation Types

Evaluation
  • Imaging
    • Lateral x-ray - Comminuted body and loss of vertebral height
    • AP x-ray - Vertical fracture of the body
    • Consider MRI - posterior ligament often injured

Management

Disposition
  • Generally admit

See Also

References

    Orthobullets

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