Posterior spinal column defined as structures dorsal to posterior longitudinal ligament
Superior and inferior articular facets, articular pillars, lamina and spinous processes
Facet joint capsules
Ligamentum flavum
Interspinous and supraspinous ligaments
IMAGING
General Features
MR Findings
Imaging Recommendations
PATHOLOGY
Staging, Grading, & Classification
CLINICAL ISSUES
Presentation
Natural History & Prognosis
Treatment
DIAGNOSTIC CHECKLIST
Image Interpretation Pearls
Selected References
Yang JS et al: Can posterior ligament structure be functionally healed after anterior reduction and fusion surgery in patients with traumatic subaxial cervical fracture-dislocations? World Neurosurg. 134:e243-8, 2020
Okada E et al: Spinal fractures in patients with diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis: clinical characteristics by fracture level. J Orthop Sci. 24(3):393-9, 2019
Yokota K et al: Progression of local kyphosis after conservative treatment for compressive cervical spine fracture with spinal cord injury. J Orthop Surg Res. 14(1):98, 2019
Dhillon CS et al: Outcomes of unstable subaxial cervical spine fractures managed by posteroanterior stabilization and fusion. Asian Spine J. 12(3):416-22, 2018
Aarabi B et al: Subaxial cervical spine injury classification systems. Neurosurgery. 72 Suppl 2:170-86, 2013
Bono CM et al: Reproducibility of radiographic measurements for subaxial cervical spine trauma. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 36(17):1374-9, 2011
Dvorak MF et al: The surgical approach to subaxial cervical spine injuries: an evidence-based algorithm based on the SLIC classification system. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 32(23):2620-9, 2007
Rabb CH et al: Unilateral cervical facet fractures with subluxation: injury patterns and treatment. J Spinal Disord Tech. 20(6):416-22, 2007
Vaccaro AR et al: The subaxial cervical spine injury classification system: a novel approach to recognize the importance of morphology, neurology, and integrity of the disco-ligamentous complex. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 32(21):2365-74, 2007
Moore TA et al: Classification of lower cervical spine injuries. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 31(11 Suppl):S37-43; discussion S61, 2006
Rao SK et al: Spectrum of imaging findings in hyperextension injuries of the neck. Radiographics. 25(5):1239-54, 2005
Matar LD et al: "Spinolaminar breach": an important sign in cervical spinous process fractures. Skeletal Radiol. 29(2):75-80, 2000
Zhu Q et al: Traumatic instabilities of the cervical spine caused by high-speed axial compression in a human model. An in vitro biomechanical study. Spine. 24(5):440-4, 1999
Shanmuganathan K et al: Traumatic isolation of the cervical articular pillar: imaging observations in 21 patients. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 166(4):897-902, 1996
Plezbert JA et al: Fracture of a lamina in the cervical spine. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 17(8):552-7, 1994
Shanmuganathan K et al: Rotational injury of cervical facets: CT analysis of fracture patterns with implications for management and neurologic outcome. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 163(5):1165-9, 1994
Goldberg AL et al: Hyperextension injuries of the cervical spine. Magnetic resonance findings. Skeletal Radiol. 18(4):283-8, 1989
Allen BL Jr et al: A mechanistic classification of closed, indirect fractures and dislocations of the lower cervical spine. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 7(1):1-27, 1982
Related Anatomy
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Related Differential Diagnoses
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References
Tables
Tables
KEY FACTS
Terminology
Imaging
Pathology
Clinical Issues
Diagnostic Checklist
TERMINOLOGY
Definitions
Posterior spinal column defined as structures dorsal to posterior longitudinal ligament
Superior and inferior articular facets, articular pillars, lamina and spinous processes
Facet joint capsules
Ligamentum flavum
Interspinous and supraspinous ligaments
IMAGING
General Features
MR Findings
Imaging Recommendations
PATHOLOGY
Staging, Grading, & Classification
CLINICAL ISSUES
Presentation
Natural History & Prognosis
Treatment
DIAGNOSTIC CHECKLIST
Image Interpretation Pearls
Selected References
Yang JS et al: Can posterior ligament structure be functionally healed after anterior reduction and fusion surgery in patients with traumatic subaxial cervical fracture-dislocations? World Neurosurg. 134:e243-8, 2020
Okada E et al: Spinal fractures in patients with diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis: clinical characteristics by fracture level. J Orthop Sci. 24(3):393-9, 2019
Yokota K et al: Progression of local kyphosis after conservative treatment for compressive cervical spine fracture with spinal cord injury. J Orthop Surg Res. 14(1):98, 2019
Dhillon CS et al: Outcomes of unstable subaxial cervical spine fractures managed by posteroanterior stabilization and fusion. Asian Spine J. 12(3):416-22, 2018
Aarabi B et al: Subaxial cervical spine injury classification systems. Neurosurgery. 72 Suppl 2:170-86, 2013
Bono CM et al: Reproducibility of radiographic measurements for subaxial cervical spine trauma. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 36(17):1374-9, 2011
Dvorak MF et al: The surgical approach to subaxial cervical spine injuries: an evidence-based algorithm based on the SLIC classification system. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 32(23):2620-9, 2007
Rabb CH et al: Unilateral cervical facet fractures with subluxation: injury patterns and treatment. J Spinal Disord Tech. 20(6):416-22, 2007
Vaccaro AR et al: The subaxial cervical spine injury classification system: a novel approach to recognize the importance of morphology, neurology, and integrity of the disco-ligamentous complex. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 32(21):2365-74, 2007
Moore TA et al: Classification of lower cervical spine injuries. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 31(11 Suppl):S37-43; discussion S61, 2006
Rao SK et al: Spectrum of imaging findings in hyperextension injuries of the neck. Radiographics. 25(5):1239-54, 2005
Matar LD et al: "Spinolaminar breach": an important sign in cervical spinous process fractures. Skeletal Radiol. 29(2):75-80, 2000
Zhu Q et al: Traumatic instabilities of the cervical spine caused by high-speed axial compression in a human model. An in vitro biomechanical study. Spine. 24(5):440-4, 1999
Shanmuganathan K et al: Traumatic isolation of the cervical articular pillar: imaging observations in 21 patients. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 166(4):897-902, 1996
Plezbert JA et al: Fracture of a lamina in the cervical spine. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 17(8):552-7, 1994
Shanmuganathan K et al: Rotational injury of cervical facets: CT analysis of fracture patterns with implications for management and neurologic outcome. AJR Am J Roentgenol. 163(5):1165-9, 1994
Goldberg AL et al: Hyperextension injuries of the cervical spine. Magnetic resonance findings. Skeletal Radiol. 18(4):283-8, 1989
Allen BL Jr et al: A mechanistic classification of closed, indirect fractures and dislocations of the lower cervical spine. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 7(1):1-27, 1982
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