MyPACS.net: Radiology Teaching Files > Case 6942225

previously visited CLAY SHOVELER'S FRACTURE
Contributed by: Radiology Residency Program Faculty & Staff, Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine-Canton Affiliated Hospitals, Ohio, USA.
Patient: 45 year old male
History: 45 year old male with neck injury two weeks ago and pain.
Images:[small]larger

Fig. 1: AP

Fig. 2: Lateral
Findings:

Fig 1: AP projection - no abnormality is identified.
Fig 2: An acute fracture of the C6 spinous process is seen, with the tip of the fracture fragment displaced inferiorly (Clay Shoveler's Fracture).

Diagnosis: Clay Shoveler's Fracture
Discussion:

Clay Shoveler's Fracture

- Oblique avulsive fracture of a lower spinous process, most commonly at C6-T1 levels (C6>C7>T1)
- Cause: powerful hyperflexion (shoveling)
- Fracture thru spinous process best seen on lateral view
- AP view: ghost sign (double-spinous process on C6-7 caused by caudal displacement of the fractured tip of the spinous process)
References:

Weissleder, R., Wittenberg, J., Harisinghani, MG. Primer of Diagnostic Imaging. Mosby, 2003.

Submitted by:

Aakash D. Singh, M.D. – PGY-V Radiology Resident
Dan Bang, M.D. - Radiologist
Mercy Medical Center

Comments:
No comments posted.
Additional Details:

Case Number: 6942225Last Updated: 10-15-2006
Anatomy: Skeletal System   Pathology: Trauma
Modality: Conventional RadiographExam Date: 09-23-2006Access Level: Readable by all users
Keywords: clay shoveler's fracture, clay-shoveler's fracture, ghost signACR: 313.413

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