Cervical spine fractures and dislocations

Types

Cervical Spine 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

Workup

• See blunt neck trauma

Differential Diagnosis

Blunt Neck Trauma

• Spinal cord trauma
• Vertebral and carotid artery dissection
• Whiplash injury
• Cervical spine fractures and dislocations
• Strangulation

Management

• Prehospital
  • See the NAEMSP National Guidelines for Spinal Immobilization
• Hospital
  • See page for specific fracture

See Also

• C-Spine (EAST)
• Penetrating neck trauma
• Spinal Cord Trauma
• Spinal Cord Compression (Non-Traumatic)
• Neurogenic Shock
• Unstable spine fractures‎
• Vertebral fractures

See Also

• Blunt neck trauma

References

Authors

Ross Donaldson, Michael O'Brien, MD, Neil Young, Daniel Ostermayer