Cervical Spine MCQs

A 22-year-old collegiate baseball pitcher presents with medial elbow pain. The moving valgus stress test is positive. MRI shows a full-thickness tear of the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL). What is the primary restraint to valgus stress at 90 degrees of elbow flexion?

During the throwing motion, which bundle of the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) of the elbow is the primary restraint to valgus stress from 30 to 120 degrees of flexion?

During the acceleration phase of a baseball pitch, significant valgus stress is placed on the elbow. Which structure provides the primary restraint to valgus stress at 90 degrees of elbow flexion?

Which structure provides the primary restraint to valgus stress at the elbow during the late cocking and early acceleration phases of throwing?

A 21-year-old collegiate baseball pitcher presents with medial elbow pain and decreased pitching velocity. Magnetic resonance arthrography demonstrates a tear of the medial ulnar collateral ligament (MUCL). Which structure is the primary restraint to valgus stress between 30 and 120 degrees of elbow flexion?

In a throwing athlete, the primary restraint to valgus stress at the elbow during the late cocking and early acceleration phases of throwing is the:

A 22-year-old collegiate baseball pitcher presents with medial elbow pain during the acceleration phase of throwing. Physical examination reveals valgus instability at 90 degrees of elbow flexion. Which structure is most likely injured?

Which of the following pathophysiologic mechanisms best describes Grisel's syndrome?

Which radiographic finding best differentiates an os odontoideum from an acute Type II odontoid fracture?

In a patient with severe rheumatoid arthritis, what measurement of the anterior atlantodens interval (ADI) is generally considered an absolute indication for surgical stabilization, even if the patient is asymptomatic?

A 7-year-old child presents with torticollis and severe neck stiffness one week after undergoing an adenotonsillectomy. Radiographs demonstrate atlantoaxial subluxation without evidence of trauma. What is the most likely diagnosis?

During an anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF), the surgeon retracts the longus colli muscles laterally to expose the vertebral bodies. Vigorous or prolonged lateral retraction of this muscle places which of the following structures at highest risk of injury?

A 35-year-old manual laborer presents with sudden severe lower neck pain after forcefully shoveling heavy, wet snow. Radiographs reveal an avulsion fracture of the spinous process of C7. What is the recommended management for this injury?

A 7-year-old boy presents with progressive torticollis following a severe upper respiratory tract infection. Radiographs reveal atlantoaxial rotatory subluxation. What is the most likely diagnosis?

In a patient with a suspected Jefferson burst fracture of C1, an open-mouth odontoid radiograph is obtained. According to the Rule of Spence, what radiographic finding indicates a high likelihood of a ruptured transverse ligament?

Which of the following explains the high rate of non-union seen in Anderson and D'Alonzo Type II odontoid fractures?

According to the Fielding and Hawkins classification of atlantoaxial rotatory subluxation, what defines a Type I injury?

During anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF), the sympathetic trunk is at risk of injury if dissection strays too far laterally. The sympathetic trunk lies anterior to which of the following structures?