In children, it should be less than 3.5 mm.It is the distance between the odontoid process and the posterior border of the anterior arch of the atlas.Intersegmental translation is found by comparing flexion and extension views by tracing the posterior line of the vertebra.ĭetailed analysis of flexion-extension xrays of cervical spine are done as follows In flexion View A good extension image shows the crowding of the spinous process.Īn intersegmental translation of more than 2.5 mm is considered to suggest instability of the spine.A good flexion image should demonstrate the well-separated spinous process.The image is labeled as ‘flexion’ or ‘extension’.A good image would enable visualization of C7 to T1.The exposure focus is around C4 about 2.5 cm above the jugular notch.A demonstration beforehand would make the procedure easy to manage. The x-rays are taken in various degrees of flexion and extension of the cervical spine as required.The patient may sit or stand depending on the machine and convenience of the patient Position – Erect, and the patient’s neck is positioned for a lateral view of the cervical spine.Patient is not able to flex or extend the neck.– When the patient has an altered state of consciousness.Contraindications When Flexion-Extension Xrays of Cervical Spine are Not Done? Bu with better imaging investigations available, these are done less frequently in acute trauma to avoid patient inconvenience and risk of further injury. It can also be done in acute trauma of the spine where routine films are normal, to assess the ligamentous injury.

X-ray in flexion Indications When are Flexion-Extension Xrays of Cervical Spine Done?Ĭervical Spine Fexion-extension xrays are done to evaluate spinal instability. While the deformity got corrected in extension view, it got exaggerated in the flexion suggesting dynamic instability. Her routine x-ray of the cervical spine revealed a kyphotic deformity at C4-C5 level. Flexion-extension x-rays of cervical spine views were done. The x-ray above and below are of 38 years old lady who suffered from chronic neck pain. Any abnormal displacement indicates insufficiency. Sometimes, in dynamic radiography, additional distraction forces may be applied by putting traction and the displacement may be studied. The other kind that is routinely done by taking different views of the cervical spine is called static radiography. It can also be used to assess the healing response of cervical spine injuries and other pathologies.įlexion-extension xrays of cervical spine are taken in different positions of the neck i.e. These x-rays of the cervical spine are helpful in finding instability of the cervical spine that is not very obvious in routine images. The cervical spine flexion-extension x-rays are taken in the lateral position and show seven cervical vertebrae and their relations. Last Updated on AugWhat are Flexion-Extension Xrays of Cervical Spineįlexion-extension xrays of cervical spine are dynamic x-ray studies of the neck. What are Flexion-Extension Xrays of Cervical Spine.

Unstable cervical spine flexion x ray