Surprisingly (or not) there is no prevertebral soft tissue swelling. It is a highly non-specific finding found a lot more with flexion teardrop extension. Flexion & extension teardrop are both anteroinferior fractures of the vertebral body. Flexion teardrop is considered one of the most unstable cervical fracture.
Apart from the trauma mechanism, flexion & extension teardrop can be distinguished :
Extension
- Vertical diameter of the fragment > or = to its horizontal diameter
- Angle of 35° with the vertebral endplate
Flexion
- Associated with interspinal ligaments rupture (widening of the posterior elements)
- Loss of height of the anterior vertebral body
- Facets subluxation
Extension teardrop is treated conservatively with immobilization (C spine collar). Flexion teardrop is treated surgically.