Burst vertebral fracture

Bone deformity

C7 burst fracture.

Posterior wall

Slight disruption of the posterior wall. As is true for all spinal fractures, a X-ray computed tomography (CT scan) is useful for better assessment and classification.

Normal soft tissues

Normal soft tissues of less than 4 mm at the level of C3.

Soft tissues swelling

Soft tissues swelling at the level of C7 measured at 17 mm (normal at less than 15 mm).

Anterior spinal line

Alignment of the anterior vertebral bodies.

Posterior spinal line

Alignment of the posterior vertebral bodies.

Spinolaminar line

Spinolaminar line, also called facet joint line. This line represents the posterior elements.

Spinous process line

This line also represents the posterior elements.

Vertebral identification

There are 7 cervical vertebral bodies. Note the special configuration of C1-C2 where the odontoid represents the missing body of C1. Also notice the prominent spinous process of C7.