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Anterior subluxation of the cervical spine: hyperflexion sprain.

1981; American Society of Neuroradiology; Volume: 2; Issue: 3 Linguagem: Inglês

1936-959X

J. Douglas Green, Thomas S. Harle, John H. Harris,

Cervical and Thoracic Myelopathy

Anterior subluxation (hyperflexion sprain) is localized, purely ligamentous disruption of the cervical spine caused by a limited flexion force. When associated with a simple wedge fraction, also a flexion injury, anterior subluxation may be the more significant lesion. Radiographically, anterior subluxation is characterised by (1) a localized kyphotic angulation at the level of injury; (2) anterior rotation, or displacement, of the subluxed vertebra; (3) anterior narrowing and posterior widening of the disc space; (4) widening of the space between the subluxed vertebral body and the subjacent articular masses; (5) displacement of the inferior articulating facets of the subluxed vertebra with respect to their contiguous subjacent facets; and (6) widening of the interspinous space (fanning). The localized kyphotic angulation at the level of ligamentous disruption distinguishes pathologic anterior subluxation from diffuse reversal of the normal cervical lordosis; produced by voluntary positioning or muscle spasm. Anterior subluxation is clinically significant because of the approximate 20% incidence of delayed instability due to impaired ligamentous healing.