A single fracture in the atlas ring: report of two cases and a review of the literature

Emerg Radiol. 2007 Jul;14(3):191-4. doi: 10.1007/s10140-007-0584-2. Epub 2007 Feb 28.

Abstract

Atlas fractures commonly present more than two breaks in its ring structure because of the unique anatomy and the mechanism of injury. The incidence of a single break in the atlas ring is exceedingly rare. However, we encountered two cases of a single fracture of the atlas. One patient was struck by a falling tree on the right side of the head and the other was involved in a motor vehicle accident. Radiographs of the cervical spine failed to show a single fracture or other abnormalities. Computed tomography demonstrated the single fracture. The patients were treated conservatively with a cervical collar, and they both recovered completely. In this article, we present two cases of a single fracture of the atlas with a review of the literature.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Accidents, Occupational
  • Accidents, Traffic
  • Adult
  • Braces
  • Cervical Atlas / diagnostic imaging
  • Cervical Atlas / injuries*
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Spinal Fractures / diagnostic imaging*
  • Thoracic Vertebrae / diagnostic imaging
  • Thoracic Vertebrae / injuries
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed*