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Chance type fracture

Case contributed by Arthur Daire
Diagnosis certain

Presentation

Involved in a motor vehicle accident presenting with severe back pain and bilateral lower limb weakness. Traumatic grade 1 anterior listhesis of L2 on L3 on plain films.

Patient Data

Age: 37
Gender: Male
mri

There is grade 2/3 anterolisthesis of T12 on L1 with associated severe spinal stenosis and cord compression at this level. There is also high T2 signal involving T12 and L1 vertebral bodies consistent with marrow edema. There is also  high T2 signal in the posterior (pedicle, lamina) consistent with fractures. Associated  soft tissue  edema.

There is a hematoma peeling the anterior longitudinal ligament, anterior to the L1 and L2 vertebral bodies.

No evidence of aortic injury on this study.

Case Discussion

Findings are consistent with Chance type fracture 

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