Cervical spinal fractures: CT detection.

Although computed tomography (CT) is commonly used in addition to plain radiographs to evaluate cervical spinal fractures, it may fail to detect some clinically significant fractures. Cervical spinal fractures were produced in cadavers, studied with CT, and documented by cryomicrotomy. The CT scans were interpreted independent of the anatomic sections. Pedicle and lateral mass fractures were regularly unrecognized on CT scans. In these cases, widening and hemarthrosis of the adjacent facet joints were evident. A widened facet joint is an indirect sign of an occult cervical spinal fracture.