Pathology: C-spine & soft tissue neck

Clay Shoveler’s Fx

avulsion fx of spinous process in the lower cervical & upper thoracic region

clay shoveler’s fx- radiographic appearance

best seen on the lateral image as lucency through the spinous process

tech factors for this test

no change- for all

jefferson fx

a comminuted fracture of the ring of the atlas; involves both the anterior & posterior arches & causes displacement of the fragments (comminuted)

jefferson fx- radiographic appearance

Lateral displacement of lateral masses of C1 bilaterally; Best visualized on odontoid view

hangman’s fx

A fracture of the arch of C2 (axis)

(ex- head forced back by impact)

hangman’s fx radiographic appearance

Best visualized on lateral view

herniated nucleus pulposus (HNP)

Condition in which part or all the soft, gelatinous central portion of an intervertebral disk is forced through a weakened part of the disk (like a gusher- squeezes out)

herniated nucleus pulposus (HNP) radiographic appearance

narrowing of disc spaces

hyperextension injury

Abnormal motion or force applied to the neck that causes movement beyond the necks normal range of motion

hyperextension injury- radiographic appearance

Straightening of the cervical spine – loss of lordosis

(ex- whiplash)

croup

Viral infection primarily of young children – produces inflammatory obstructive swelling localized to the subglottic portion of trachea

croup- radiographic apperance

(“steeple sign”)

how to determine which bone is C2

biggest bone

how to determine which bone is C7

the long one