Presentation
Hyperflexion injury in a road traffic accident.
Patient Data
Age: 40 years
Gender: Male
From the case:
Bilateral perched facet joint
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There are disruption and distraction of the normal C6-C7 facet joint alignment associated with widening of the interspinous distance and retrolisthesis of C7 vertebral body.
Case Discussion
The perched facet joint is a vertebral facet joint whose inferior articular process appears to sit 'perched' on the ipsilateral superior articular process of the vertebra below (could be unilateral or bilateral). Always associated with hyperflexion road traffic accidents.
Cervical spine MRI is helpful to role out spinal cord injury as it is highly suspected.