The Invisible Fatal Injury: Postmortem Revelation of Cervical Spine Fracture/Dislocation: A Case Report

<h3>Abstract:</h3> <div> <p>Cervical spine injuries can be rapidly fatal, often without overt external signs, particularly in high-energy trauma such as road traffic accidents (RTAs). We report the case of a middle-aged man who died shortly after a night time RTA. Although he sustained only minor cutaneous injuries, autopsy revealed a fatal C6–C7 cervical spine fracture-dislocation associated with massive internal haemorrhage. This case underscores the importance of maintaining a high index of suspicion for spinal injuries in trauma cases and highlights the critical role of postmortem examination in uncovering hidden fatal injuries. </p> </div>