Adjacent Level Ligamentous Injury Associated with Traumatic Cervical Spine Fractures: Indications for Imaging and Implications for Treatment

MRI detected an associated STI in about 55% of patients who underwent imaging. Injuries involving multiple fractured cervical levels, fractures at C3 and C5, and widened disc space should raise the treating physician's level of suspicion for ALLI. Our data show that treatment directed by MRI findings in select cases has substantial value.