Demographics:
70 years old, Male
Indication:
Trauma, no fracture on CT
Findings
- Mild anterior disc space widening at C5-C6 with mild T2/STIR hyperintensity in the anterior aspect of the disc
- Focal disruption of the anterior longitudinal ligament at the level of C5-C6
- T2/STIR signal hyperintensity in the C5-C6 interspinous ligament
- Mild anterolisthesis at C2-C3 and C7-T1, likely secondary to degenerative facet arthropathy
- No cord signal abnormality
- No marrow signal abnormality
- Multilevel facet hypertrophy and uncovertebral spurring contribute to varying degrees of neural foraminal stenosis, most advanced on the left at C4-C5, bilaterally at C5-C6, and on the left at C6-C7
- A posterior disc-osteophyte complex at C5-C6 contributes to mild spinal canal stenosis
- Prevertebral soft tissue thickening with T2/STIR signal hyperintensity extending from C2-C3 through T3
Diagnosis
Cervical spine ligamentous injury
Sample Report
Findings concerning for an extension-distraction injury at C5-C6 with mild widening of the anterior disc space and disc edema, focal disruption of the anterior longitudinal ligament, and interspinous ligament injury.
Extensive prevertebral edema extending from C2-C3 through T3.
No cord signal abnormality.
Mild degenerative spinal canal stenosis. Varying degrees of multilevel neural foraminal stenosis, most pronounced on the left at C4-C5, bilaterally at C5-C6, and on the left at C6-C7.
Discussion