Chance Fracture

This is an image of a reformatted sagittal CT image of the lower thoracic spine. There is a horizontal fracture through the spinous process and pedicles. There is also a compression fracture of the vertebral body. These types of injures are seen in impact injures where hyperflexion has occured with lap seatbelt injuries. It is also seen in certain types of falls. The most common symptom is back pain. Half of the patients with this type of injury also have serious blunt injury to their internal organs. These are usually lower level of t-spine so spinal cord injury is rare. However, spinal nerve damage is common resulting in bowel and bladder problems. Treatment of these fractures are done with immobilization and surgical fixation.