Skip to main content
Case #1
1/76
Demographics: 8 years old, Female
Indication: Trauma

Case #1

Findings

  • Displaced left occipital condyle fracture with widening and posterior offset of the right atlanto-occipital articulation. Displaced left occipital condyle fracture fragments narrow the anterior and left aspects of the foramen magnum
  • Right 1st and 2nd rib fractures with right greater than left apical pulmonary opacification
  • Partially imaged endotracheal tube

Diagnosis

Atlanto-occipital dislocation

Sample Report

Atlanto-occipital fracture/dislocation with a displaced left occipital condyle fracture and widening and posterior offset of the right atlanto-occipital articulation. Displaced left occipital condyle fracture fragments narrow the anterior and left aspects of the foramen magnum. Consider MRI without contrast to further evaluate the extent of ligamentous injury and to assess for cord trauma.

Right 1st and 2nd rib fractures with right greater than left apical pulmonary contusion and/or aspiration.

Discussion

  • Watch out for craniocervical junction injuries, which can occur without fractures
  • Refer to the annotated images below for a demonstration of important measurements and upper limit of normal values in adults and children
  • Unfortunately, soft tissue algorithm sequences are not available for this case, but if you squint you can make out some extra-axial hemorrhage associated with the fractures (see annotated images)

Annotated Images & Illustrations

Blue arrow: displaced occipital condyle fracture.

Blue arrow: displaced occipital condyle fracture.

Blue arrow: displaced occipital condyle fracture.

Blue arrow: displaced occipital condyle fracture.

White arrow: widening of the right atlanto-occipital articulation.

White arrow: widening of the right atlanto-occipital articulation.

Red arrow: extra-axial hemorrhage posterior to the odontoid process.

Red arrow: extra-axial hemorrhage posterior to the odontoid process.

Diagram of helpful measurements to know.

Diagram of helpful measurements to know.

Sagittal view of the major cervical spine ligaments.

Sagittal view of the major cervical spine ligaments.

Coronal view of the major ligaments at the craniocervical junction.

Coronal view of the major ligaments at the craniocervical junction.

Types of craniocervical dislocation.

Types of craniocervical dislocation.

Related Video

Video thumbnail

Cervical Spine Trauma

YouTube

Site Feedback

Your feedback helps us improve CaseStacks. Please share your thoughts, suggestions, or report any issues you've encountered.

/5
Thank you for your feedback! We appreciate your input.