Flexion teardrop fracture of the cervical spine: a narrative review
Journal
EFORT Open Reviews
ISSN
2058-5241
Date Issued
2025-10-01
Author(s)
Ignacio Cirillo
Sebastián Blanco
Sebastián Cabello
Guillermo Ricciardi
Alfredo Guiroy
_ _
Charles Carazzo (Coordinator)
Andrei Joaquim
Guisela Quinteros
Juan Pablo Cabrera
Jose Rafael Dangond
Joana Guasque
Type
journal-article
Abstract
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<jats:p>Teardrop fractures of the cervical spine are characterized by a triangular-shaped fragment located in the anteroinferior corner of the vertebral body.</jats:p>
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<jats:p>Flexion-type teardrop fractures are highly unstable injuries resulting from a flexion-compression mechanism.</jats:p>
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<jats:p>A notable feature of these injuries is retrolisthesis of the vertebral body, which is often associated with a high risk of neurological compromise.</jats:p>
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<jats:p>The anterior approach is the most commonly used surgical treatment for flexion-type teardrop fractures.</jats:p>
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<jats:p>In contrast, extension-type teardrop fractures primarily affect the axis vertebral body and are generally stable injuries that can be treated nonoperatively.</jats:p>
</jats:list-item>
</jats:list>
</jats:p>
<jats:list list-type="bullet">
<jats:list-item>
<jats:p>Teardrop fractures of the cervical spine are characterized by a triangular-shaped fragment located in the anteroinferior corner of the vertebral body.</jats:p>
</jats:list-item>
<jats:list-item>
<jats:p>Flexion-type teardrop fractures are highly unstable injuries resulting from a flexion-compression mechanism.</jats:p>
</jats:list-item>
<jats:list-item>
<jats:p>A notable feature of these injuries is retrolisthesis of the vertebral body, which is often associated with a high risk of neurological compromise.</jats:p>
</jats:list-item>
<jats:list-item>
<jats:p>The anterior approach is the most commonly used surgical treatment for flexion-type teardrop fractures.</jats:p>
</jats:list-item>
<jats:list-item>
<jats:p>In contrast, extension-type teardrop fractures primarily affect the axis vertebral body and are generally stable injuries that can be treated nonoperatively.</jats:p>
</jats:list-item>
</jats:list>
</jats:p>