Flexion teardrop fracture

  • fracture-dislocation with spinal cord injury
mechanism
  • hyperflexion and axial compression
  • unstable injury
radiograph
  • triangular fragment at anteroinferior aspect of involved vertebral body (teardrop)
  • anterior vertebral body height reduction with soft tissue swelling
  • posterior displacement of fractured vertebra
  • diastasic of interfacetal joints
  • longitudinal ligament, intervertebral disc and posterior ligament complex disruption