Traumatic dislocation of the cervical spine is a relatively rare injury, but the ramifications of a missed injury are severe and life-long. The imaging findings related to traumatic dislocation are commonly mentioned in the literature although actual images of this pathophysiology are rare. In this particular case, three-dimensional computed tomography demonstrates the large amount of cervical spine distraction and associated damage. Epidemiology and management of acute cervical spine injuries in regard to this injury are discussed.
HaslerRMAristomensisKEOmarB. Epidemiology and predictors of cervical spine injury in adult major trauma patients: a multicenter cohort study. J Trauma2012; 72: 975–981.
2.
MilbyAHCaseyHHWenshengG. Prevalence of cervical spinal injury in trauma. Neurosurg Focus2008; 24: 1–8.
3.
LeuchtPFischerKMuhrG. Epidemiology of traumatic spine fractures. Injury2009; 40: 166–172.
4.
MikoIGouldRWolfS. Acute spinal cord injury. Int Anesthesiol Clin2009; 47: 37–54.
5.
GoldbergWMuellerCPanacekE. Distrubution and patterns of blunt traumatic cervical spine injury. Ann Emerg Med2001; 38: 17–21.
6.
FreebornK. The importance of maintaining spinal precautions. Crit Care Nurs Q2005; 28: 195–199.
YangHLZhangZGLuoZP. A complete C3-C4 spinal dislocation. JAMA Neurol2013; 70: 802–802.
9.
MachinisTGFountasKNKapsalakEZ. A rare case of complete C2-C3 dislocation with mild neurological symptoms. Eur Spine J2006; 15: S585–S589.
10.
ShoutenRAlbertTKwonBK. The spine-injured patient: initial assessment and emergency treatment. J Am Acad Orthop Surg2012; 20: 336–346.
11.
ComoJTDiazJJDunhamM. Practice management guidelines for identification of cervical spinal injuries following trauma: update from the Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma practice management guidelines committee. J Trauma2009; 67: 651–659.
