Neural foraminal enlargement on axial images: A radiologic sign indicative of bilateral interfacetal dislocation or subluxation of the cervical spine

Abstract

We describe neural foraminal enlargement as a radiologic sign indicating bilateral interfacetal dislocation or subluxation injuries (BID/S) of the lower cervical spine on axial images. Axial neural foraminal width was measured by computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging in 10 patients with BID/S and compared with measurements in 20 control patients. In both the BID/S patients and controls, the size of the foramina at the injured level was compared with the foramina at levels immediately above and below the injury. These measurements were compared for statistical significance