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An occult cervical spine fracture.
1University Family Medicine Center, Pueblo, CO, 81001, USA.
The Physician and Sportsmedicine
|January 21, 2010
Summary
A young athlete
Area of Science:
- Sports medicine
- Orthopedic surgery
- Radiology
Background:
- Cervical spine trauma in athletes can be challenging to diagnose.
- Delayed diagnosis of cervical spine injuries may lead to persistent pain and further complications.
- Radiographic imaging plays a crucial role in identifying subtle fractures.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight a case of delayed diagnosis of a C-7 fracture in a young athlete.
- To emphasize the importance of advanced imaging in evaluating persistent cervical spine pain after trauma.
- To underscore the need for thorough cervical spine assessment in athletes.
Main Methods:
- Case report of a 16-year-old wrestler with persistent neck and arm pain.
- Initial cervical spine radiographs were negative.
- Cervical spine CT scan was performed two months post-injury.
- Clinical examination included Spurling test.
Main Results:
- A parasagittal linear fracture through the body of C-7 was identified on CT scan.
- The patient experienced symptom resolution after avoiding contact sports.
- Spurling test was positive, indicating nerve root irritation.
Conclusions:
- Subtle cervical spine fractures may not be evident on initial radiographs.
- Advanced imaging like CT is essential for diagnosing certain cervical spine injuries in athletes.
- Prompt and accurate diagnosis of cervical spine trauma is critical to prevent long-term morbidity.
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