Skull Fractures and Spinal Trauma Flashcards Preview

Diagnostic Imaging II Exam One > Skull Fractures and Spinal Trauma > Flashcards

Flashcards in Skull Fractures and Spinal Trauma Deck (43)
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1
Q

What is the most common type of a skull fracture?

A

Linear skull fractures

2
Q

What area is destroyed by a “blowout” fracture?

A

Inferior orbit (therefore leading to blood in the maxillary sinus)

3
Q

In what plane is a CT administered?

A

Axial

4
Q

A tripod fracture involves what anatomy?

A

All three attachments of the zygomatic bone to the face (zygomaticomaxillary complex)

5
Q

What is the name of the fracture acquired in facial trauma e the maxillary bone and surrounding structures usually in a bilateral and either horizontal, pyramidal, or transverse way?

A

LeFort

6
Q

What are the three types of LeFort fractures?

A

Type 1 = horizontal (nose only)
Type 2 = pyramidal (nose and teeth)
Type 3 = transverse (whole face)

7
Q

Between what structures do subdural hematomas form?

A

Between the dura mater and brain

8
Q

Are subdural hematomas usually concave or convex?

A

Convex

9
Q

Which has a better prognosis: acute or chronic subdural hematomas?

A

Chronic (when properly managed)

10
Q

What type of injury is the result when the damage is seen on the side opposite of the trauma?

A

Contra coup

11
Q

What type of cranial hematoma is concave in shape?

A

Epidural or extradural (remember that subdural ones are conVEX)

12
Q

What type of imaging should be done when a patient presents with signs and symptoms of a skull fracture?

A

Head CT

13
Q

What mechanism of injury is the most common force to cause spinal trauma?

A

Flexion (hyperflexion most common to cause spinal trauma)

14
Q

What is the most damaging injury to the cervical spine?

A

Flexion teardrop fracture (NOT EXTENSION)

15
Q

What is the name for a spinous process fracture in the cervical spine?

A

Clay shoveler’s fracture

16
Q

What is the most common fracture to occur due to a hyperflexion injury?

A

Simple wedge (compression) fracture

17
Q

What kind of injury occurs due to hyperflexion and rotation?

A

Unilateral interfacetal dislocation and/or fracture

18
Q

Is a teardrop fracture “better” to get with hyperflexion or hyperextension?

A

Hyperextension

19
Q

In today’s society, what situation can cause a hangman’s fracture?

A

MVA

20
Q

Are Hangman’s fractures associated with hyperflexion or hyperextension?

A

Hyperextension

21
Q

What kinds of anatomical fractures are seen with hyperextension-rotation injuries?

A

Pillar fractures or pedicolaminar fractures

22
Q

What is another name for a Jefferson’s fracture of C1?

A

Burst fracture

23
Q

How many fractures occur with Jefferson’s fracture?

A

4

24
Q

What are the most common areas for spinal trauma?

A

C1-C2, C5-C7, T12-L1

25
Q

Why is T12-L1 a vulnerable area for fractures?

A

1 no articulating ribs to the sternum for protection
2 skinny psoas muscle attachment at top compared to bottom
3 transitional zone

26
Q

What is the Davis Series for?

A

7 view cervical spine series to check for fractures

27
Q

What are the 7 views of the Davis series in order from first to last?

A

Lateral, APOM, AP cervical, left and right obliques, flexion/extension, “swimmers”

28
Q

Which view is done first in the Davis Series and why?

A

Lateral view - every other view requires movement by the patient which can be potentially dangerous if a fracture is present

29
Q

The segment is considered unstable if which specific column of the vertebra is disrupted?

A

Middle

30
Q

Which ligament is particularly at risk with a middle column disruption of a segment?

A

Posterior longitudinal ligament

31
Q

What four things can contribute to increased soft tissue swelling seen near the cervical spine?

A

Edema, blood, pus, tumors

32
Q

What are the normal limits for the retropharyngeal space?

A

No more than 7mm at C2, no more than 5mm at C3/C4

33
Q

What is the normal limit for the retrotracheal space?

A

No more than 22mm in adults, no more than 14mm in children younger than 15 years of age (found at C6)

34
Q

What can cause a displaced prevertebral fat stripe?

A

SOL

35
Q

On what view do we see the tracheal air shadows?

A

AP cervical

36
Q

What contour lines are used to assess vertebral alignment?

A

Anterior vertebral line, posterior vertebral line, spinolaminar line (and also posterior spinous line)

37
Q

What signs are seen with spinal trauma that are indicative of abnormal joints?

A

Increased ADI, abnormal disc height, widened apophyseal joints

38
Q

What are the maximum ADI measurements for both adults and children?

A
Adults = 3mm
Children = 5mm
39
Q

What measurement of horizontal body displacement is considered to be unstable?

A

Greater than 3.5mm

40
Q

What measurement of vertebral flexion is indicative of spinal trauma when compared to the rest?

A

Greater than 11 degrees of flexion

41
Q

A vacuum cleft disc is indicative of what overlying condition?

A

DJD

42
Q

How long does it take for spinal fractures to heal?

A

3-6 months (slow healing…much slower than extremities)

43
Q

Do body fractures or arch fractures heal more with fibrosis? Which heal more with callus?

A

Body fractures - fibrosis

Arch fractures - callus