AN OCCULT CERVICAL-SPINE FRACTURE

A 16-year-old athlete developed in neck pain after being dropped on hi s head with his neck flexed while recreationally wrestling, Initial ce rvical spine radiographs were negative, but he continued to have neck and arm pain, especially after heading a wet soccer ball, Two months a fter the initial injury, he had a positive Spurling test; cervical spi ne CT then revealed a parasagittal linear fracture through the body of C-7. The patient avoided contact and collision activities and had no further physical problems, For patients who suffer cervical spine trau ma, adequate visualization of the cervical spine can help prevent cata strophic outcomes.