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Spine
intermediate
X-Type

Jefferson Fracture

Cervical Spine Trauma

A 35-year-old man dives into shallow water and strikes his head on the bottom. He presents with severe neck pain but no neurological deficit. CT scan shows bilateral fractures through the anterior and posterior arches of C1 with lateral mass displacement. Open-mouth odontoid view shows 8mm total lateral mass overhang. Regarding Jefferson fractures:

Mark each as TRUE or FALSE

A

Jefferson fracture is a burst fracture of the C1 ring caused by axial loading; it typically occurs f...

B

The Spence rule states that combined lateral mass overhang greater than 6.9mm on open-mouth odontoid...

C

Jefferson fractures always cause complete spinal cord injury; the transverse ligament is never damag...

D

The transverse ligament is the primary restraint to anterior translation of C1 on C2; ADI (atlantode...

E

Stable Jefferson fractures (intact transverse ligament) can be treated with rigid cervical orthosis ...

Answer the questions to see explanations

Click T (True) or F (False) for each option