
Diagnosis
Diagnosis
Unilateral Facet Dislocation at C6 and Left Occipital Condyle Fracture
Unilateral Facet Dislocation & Fracture:
Method of injury is forced flexion and rotation. Unilateral dislocations are stable, but bilateral dislocations are unstable. These are best demonstrated on the lateral and oblique radiograph / CT views. Anterior dislocation of the affected ody is usually less than half of the AP diameter of the vertebral body.
See Primer of Diagnostic Imaging, 5th ed, page 274-275
Occipital Condyle Fractures:
These fractures are best viewed on coronal CT images. They can be subtle and overlooked. If large enough, they can involve the jugular foramen or hypoglossal canal. The jugular foramen contains the inferior petrosal sinus, sigmoid sinus, posterior meningeal artery and cranial nerves #9,10,11. The hypoglossal canal contains cranial nerves #12.
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