Fig. 1.

Admission CT scans demonstrating teardrop fracture of the C5 vertebra. The sagittal plane sequence shows forward displacement and extension of the anterior VB fragment and retropulsion of the posterior VB fragment into the canal: a) left, b) midsagittal, and c) right. The frontal plane sequence shows the vertical fracture at the: d) anterior, e) mid, and f) posterior regions of the posterior VB fragment. The transverse plane sequence shows the aforementioned injuries in addition to the neural arch fractures indicated with arrows: g) inferior, h) mid-inferior, i) mid-superior, and j) superior. Note from the sagittal place sequence that the spine is tilted anteriorly relative to the axes of the scanner. Consequently, the anteroinferior region of the C4 VB appears in panels i and j of the transverse plane sequence.