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Spine
intermediate
X-Type

Cervical Teardrop Fractures MCQ

teardrop-fractures

A 22-year-old man presents to the emergency department after diving into shallow water. He has complete quadriplegia with no motor or sensory function below C5. Cervical spine CT shows a triangular fracture fragment from the anteroinferior corner of C5, with posterior displacement of the C5 vertebral body into the spinal canal, widening of the interspinous distance, and disruption of the posterior ligamentous complex. **Which type of teardrop fracture does this patient have, and what is the expected stability?**

Mark each as TRUE or FALSE

A

Extension teardrop; stable injury

B

Extension teardrop; unstable injury

C

Flexion teardrop; stable injury

D

Flexion teardrop; highly unstable injury

E

Simple avulsion fracture; stable injury

Answer the questions to see explanations

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