Chance fracture: Difference between revisions
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==Background==
==Background==
*Unstable
*Unstable spinal fracture
*Most common at T12-L2 due to spinal curvature and mechanism
**Extends horizontally posterior to anterior through the spinous process, pedicles, vertebral body
*May be misdiagnosed as anterior compression fracture, which is usually stable
*Caused by flexion-distraction forces; ex. seatbelt use in MVC
**Upon deceleration, the spine forcibly flexes over the seatbelt, distracting (pulling apart) the middle/posterior column of spine
**Most common at T12-L2 due to spinal curvature and mechanism
*Incidence of concurrent intra-abdominal hollow viscus injuries is 50%<ref>Koay J, Davis DD, Hogg JP. Chance Fractures. [Updated 2023 Aug 14]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK536926/</ref>
**Ex. bowel perforations and mesenteric lacerations
**Intra-abdominal injuries more commonly associated than neuro deficits
*May be misdiagnosed as anterior compression fracture (usually stable)


{{Vertebral fractures and dislocations types}}
{{Vertebral fractures and dislocations types}}


==Clinical Features==
==Clinical Features==
*Common mechanism: seat belt serves as axis of rotation with failure of middle and posterior columns
*Back pain and thoracolumbar midline spinal tenderness to palpation
*Seat Belt Injury: lap belt worn above the pelvic bones without a shoulder harness
*Seatbelt sign: ecchymosis across the abdominal wall in the location of a lap belt<ref>Huecker MR, Chapman J. Seat Belt Injury. [Updated 2023 Apr 9]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470262/</ref>
*Mechanism: minor anterior vertebral compression with failure of the middle and posterior columns
*Abdominal pain
*Intra-abdominal injuries more commonly associated than neuro deficits
*Lower extremity neurological deficits


==Differential Diagnosis==
==Differential Diagnosis==
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[[File:PchancefracX.png|thumb|Chance fracture of T10 and fracture of T9 due to a seatbelt during an MVC on xray.]]
[[File:PchancefracX.png|thumb|Chance fracture of T10 and fracture of T9 due to a seatbelt during an MVC on xray.]]
[[File:PchancefracCT.png|thumb|Chance fracture of T10 and fracture of T9 due to a seatbelt during an MVC on CT.]]
[[File:PchancefracCT.png|thumb|Chance fracture of T10 and fracture of T9 due to a seatbelt during an MVC on CT.]]
===Workup===
===Workup===
*Obtain sagittally reconstructed CT if suspect lap-belt mechanism or flexion-distraction
*Obtain sagittally reconstructed CT of T and L spines if suspect lap-belt mechanism or flexion-distraction
**Evaluate for retropulsion of bony fragments
*Obtain MRI to evaluate for ligamentous injuries or spinal cord injuries
*Obtain CT chest/abdomen/pelvis if suspecting intra-abdominal injuries


===Diagnosis===
===Diagnosis===
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**Non-operative immobilization with cast or TLSO
**Non-operative immobilization with cast or TLSO
*If neurologic deficits present:
*If neurologic deficits present:
**Surgical decompression and stabilization
**Surgical decompression and fixation/fusion


==Disposition==
==Disposition==
 
*Admit


==See Also==
==See Also==

Revision as of 20:42, 25 September 2023

Background

  • Unstable spinal fracture
    • Extends horizontally posterior to anterior through the spinous process, pedicles, vertebral body
  • Caused by flexion-distraction forces; ex. seatbelt use in MVC
    • Upon deceleration, the spine forcibly flexes over the seatbelt, distracting (pulling apart) the middle/posterior column of spine
    • Most common at T12-L2 due to spinal curvature and mechanism
  • Incidence of concurrent intra-abdominal hollow viscus injuries is 50%[1]
    • Ex. bowel perforations and mesenteric lacerations
    • Intra-abdominal injuries more commonly associated than neuro deficits
  • May be misdiagnosed as anterior compression fracture (usually stable)

Vertebral fractures and dislocations types

Vertebral anatomy.
Numbering order of vertebrae.

Clinical Features

  • Back pain and thoracolumbar midline spinal tenderness to palpation
  • Seatbelt sign: ecchymosis across the abdominal wall in the location of a lap belt[2]
  • Abdominal pain
  • Lower extremity neurological deficits

Differential Diagnosis

Lower Back Pain

Evaluation

Chance fracture of T10 and fracture of T9 due to a seatbelt during an MVC on xray.
Chance fracture of T10 and fracture of T9 due to a seatbelt during an MVC on CT.

Workup

  • Obtain sagittally reconstructed CT of T and L spines if suspect lap-belt mechanism or flexion-distraction
    • Evaluate for retropulsion of bony fragments
  • Obtain MRI to evaluate for ligamentous injuries or spinal cord injuries
  • Obtain CT chest/abdomen/pelvis if suspecting intra-abdominal injuries

Diagnosis

  • Pure bony injury from posterior to anterior through:
    • Spinous process
    • Pedicles
    • Vertebral body

Management

  • If no neurologic deficits present:
    • Non-operative immobilization with cast or TLSO
  • If neurologic deficits present:
    • Surgical decompression and fixation/fusion

Disposition

  • Admit

See Also

External Links

References

  1. ↑ Koay J, Davis DD, Hogg JP. Chance Fractures. [Updated 2023 Aug 14]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK536926/
  2. ↑ Huecker MR, Chapman J. Seat Belt Injury. [Updated 2023 Apr 9]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470262/
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