Cervical Spine Trauma
A 28-year-old male presents following a motor vehicle collision with neck pain. Lateral cervical spine radiograph reveals a characteristic "ghost sign" - a double shadow at the C7 level indicating an avulsed spinous process fragment. CT confirms an isolated spinous process fracture at C7 with no other cervical injuries. Neurological examination is completely normal. The patient is tender over the lower cervical region but has full range of motion. Regarding clay-shoveler's fractures:
Mark each as TRUE or FALSE
Clay-shoveler's fractures are isolated spinous process avulsion fractures typically occurring at C6,...
The "ghost sign" on lateral cervical radiograph - a double spinous process shadow - is pathognomonic...
Clay-shoveler's fractures are mechanically stable injuries requiring only conservative treatment wit...
Clay-shoveler's fractures require urgent surgical fixation to prevent spinal cord injury and chronic...
When clay-shoveler's fractures are identified, thorough evaluation is mandatory to exclude associate...
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Click T (True) or F (False) for each option