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November 2006 Radiology Quiz
This patient is a 38 year old male who presented to the ED after falling 2 stories. The following ray is shown.
Questions:
1. Describe what you see?
2. The above fracture makes up what % of all cervical spine fractures?
- Incidence of odontoid fractures approaches 15% of all C-spine fractures
3. Name the three types/classes for the above fracture.
- A type I fracture (less than 5% of cases) is an oblique fracture through the upper part of the odontoid process. This is an avulsion injury to the tip of the odontoid and is usually stable.
- Type II fracture: A type II fracture (more than 60% of cases) is a fracture occurring at the base of the odontoid as it attaches to the body of C2
- A type III fracture (30% of cases) occurs when the fracture line extends through the body of the axis. The fracture line can extend laterally into the superior articular facet for the atlas.
4. What is the mechanism of the above fracture?
- The precise mechanism of odontoid fractures is unknown. However, the mechanism most likely includes a combination of flexion, extension, and rotation.
Trivia: What is the song “Smoke On The Water” by Deep Purple written about?
- Answer: This was written about the fire that broke out at the Montreaux Center, Switzerland on 12/3/71. Deep Purple opened up for Frank Zappa at that concert. And no, I was not in attendance.
Bonus: How did the fire start? Some stupid person shot off a flare gun
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