Imaging of the Cervical Spine > Interpretation > Soft Tissue Swelling

Soft Tissue Swelling

Some fractures can be very subtle, and soft tissue swelling may be the only sign of fracture. In this case, the lateral view shows only slight soft tissue swelling anterior to C2, and no obvious fracture is seen. On the subsequent CT, a type III dens fracture (fracture of the dens and extends into the body of C2) is demostracted.