Interspinous Ligamentous Injury

58-year-old female status post fall. The STIR-weighted images demonstrate abnormal hyperintense signal between the spinous process of C4, C5, and C6. There is abnormal soft tissue stranding compatible with edema at these sites on the sagittal T2 and T1-weighted images. The findings are compatible with an interspinous ligamentous injury given the reported history of trauma. Incidental note is made of prevertebral soft tissue edema from the C4 to C6 vertebral levels compatible with ligamentous injury to the anterior longitudinal ligament. Hyperflexion sprain injuries result from injuries to the soft tissues without fracture.