Fracture and Bilateral Facet Dislocation after Anterior Cervical Fusion in a Patient with a Distraction-Flexion Injury at the Lower Cervical Level / 대한정형외과학회잡지

ABSTRACT

A bilateral facet dislocation after anterior cervical fusion with a plate in distraction-flexion injury without significant instability in plain radiography is very rare. This paper reports a case with a confirmed injury status (C6–7 and C7–T1) by magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography with no visible fractures or displacement on plain radiography. Anterior cervical fusion (C6–T1) was performed with a cage and plate. On the other hand, three days later, C6–7 bilateral facet dislocation developed with severe neck and radiating pain, and posterior decompression and fusion were performed.