imaging of spine trauma

Question 1

what imaging modalities are used for assessing structure

Answer 1

CT and plain film xray

Question 2

what imaging modality used for assessing soft tissue/ligaments

Answer 2

MRI

Question 3

what imaging modality used for assessing neurology

Answer 3

MRI

Question 4

what are the 3 types of spinal fractures

Answer 4

compression - collapsing due to pressure or degeneration of spinal bones

burst- disc/bone in spine extremely compressed becoming crushed, spreading fragments

wedge - result from degeneration of spine/truma

Question 5

what are 3 types of soft tissue injuries found in spine

Answer 5

• ligements
• spinal cord compression
• cauda equina syndrome

Question 6

what is caudal equine syndrome

Answer 6

spinal stenosis where all of the nerves in the lower back suddenly become severely compressed.
OR
compression of lumbar sacral nerve roots

Question 7

what is jumped facet joint

Answer 7

occurs when the inferior articular process of the superior vertebra is locked anteriorly to the superior articular process of the inferior vertebra

Question 8

what does UID stand for and what is it

Answer 8

unilateral interfacetal dislocation
dislocation of inferior facet of superior vertebra over the superior facet of inferior vertebra.

Question 9

what does BID stand for and what is it

Answer 9

bilateral interfacetal dislocation
occurs when a vertebra’s inferior facet dislocates anteriorly over the lower vertebra’s superior facet, locking in the intervertebral foramens, creating a severely unstable fracture.

Question 10

what is flexion teardrop

Answer 10

a fracture of the anteroinferior aspect of a cervical vertebral body due to flexion of the spine along with vertical axial compression.

Question 11

what is a hyeprflexion sprain

Answer 11

localized, purely ligamentous disruption of the cervical spine caused by a limited flexion force.

ripped ligament

Question 12

what is a simple wedge fracture

Answer 12

fracture of the anterior aspect of the vertebral body (stable)

Question 13

whats an unstable fracture

Answer 13

fracture of the anterior aspect of the vertebral body but likely to change further, possibly damaging nerves and other tissue in the process or creating an unacceptable spinal deformity.

Question 14

what are some symptoms of cauda equina syndrome

Answer 14

• back pain
• bladder sensation weak
• urinary retention
• erectile dysfunction etc

Question 15

what are some things you can do to diagnose CES

Answer 15

MRI to identify compression and cause