Are flexion or extension teardrop fractures more severe?
The teardrop fragment comes from the anteroinferior aspect of the vertebral body in both types. However, in the flexion type, there is posterior displacement of the larger part of the vertebral body which can result in spinal cord injury. In extension tear drop fractures, the neck is stable when flexed but unstable in extension. However, in young patients, a high degree of trauma is required to produce this injury and hence spinal cord injury is common.
Brain
- Large frontal subgaleal haematoma.
- Small amount of subarachnoid haemorrhage at the vertex and in the interhemispheric fissure.
- No calvarial fracture.
- Fracture and slight displacement of the nasal bone and nasal septum. Mixed gas/fluid soft tissue swelling of the nasal cavity.
- Undisplaced type II odontoid fracture.
- Hyperextension teardrop fracture of anterior aspect of the inferior C3 endplate.
C-spine