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Unilateral Interfacetal Fracture Dislocation
Case Detail
| Anatomy: Brain-Spine |
 Joseph Junewick, MD FACR |
| Diagnostic Category: Trauma |
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| Created: over 10 years ago |
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| Updated: over 10 years ago |
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| Tags:
PEDS
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| Modality/Study Types:
CT
MR
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Activities:  PDF  ImageJA |
History
13 year old male in motor vehicle accident.
Case Images
Diagnosis
Unilateral Interfacetal Fracture Dislocation
Findings
CT – Axial images with sagittal reformats demonstrate unilateral locked facet on the right at C3-C4, right pedicle/facet fracture, anterior translation of C3 relative to C4, and avulsion of the posterior longitudinal ligament at C3.
MR – Sagittal IR and axial T1 and T2 images show injuries of the posterior ligamentous complex, posterior displacement of the posterior longitudinal ligament, precervical edema, and absence of the right vertebral artery flow void.
Discussion
Unilateral facet fracture dislocation is the result of hyperflexion and rotation. This injury is mechanically stable while unreduced but becomes unstable with reduction. Vertebral artery injuries are very common.