C Spine Fracture on OPG

Maxillofacial injuries are common and they occur in a variety of situations. All patients who undergo maxillofacial or head trauma, are presumed to sustain cervical spine injuries. Identification of cervical spine injuries is essential in management of trauma, because a missed injury can result in a catastrophic spinal cord injury. Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) guidelines have suggested that routine use of cervical spine radiographs may not be required in an asymptomatic patient. We are presenting here a case with a cervical spine injury with no clinical deficits, found incidentally on panoramic radiographs which were advised for evaluation of the mandibular fracture. We suggest that importance has to be given to examination of the cervical spine on the panoramic radiographs as well.