Burst Fractures in cervical spine are result of high energy injury.
In a burst fracture a vertebra breaks with pieces of the vertebra shattering into surrounding tissues and sometimes the spinal canal. Burst fractures are most often caused by car accidents or by falls.
Burst fractures are known to produce severe deformity, severe canal compromise, loss of vertebral body height, and neurologic deficit.
Xrays
Xray shows vertebral body comminutions that involve the posterior vertebral body, usually with retropulsed fragments that result in spinal canal compromise.
MRI
MRI and CT can be useful in detecting spinal cord edema and the location of retropulsed bony fragments.
Treatment
Nonoperative treatment can be considered in patients without any neurological deficit, little vertebral body comminution and only
little canal compromise.
Posterior longtitudnal ligament must be intact and there should be minimal kyphotic deformity. Usually a cervico thoracic bracxe should be given.
Operative Treatment
When neurological deficit is present, the spine should be treated surgically by decompression and stabilization. Sometimes, combined anterior/posterior surgery usually required.
[...] Teardrop fractures may also have a saggital split within the posterior vertebral body can be confused with burst fractures. [...]