Presentation
Low-speed car crash.
Patient Data
Age: 40 years
Gender: Female
From the case:
Alar ligament calcification (right): mimicking a fracture
Frontal
Nodular calcified fragment in the right periodontoid tip area.
From the case:
Alar ligament calcification (right): mimicking a fracture
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Coronal bone window
Nodular calcification between the odontoid tip and the right occipital condyle.
Case Discussion
Calcification in the alar ligament is a rare condition.
It is usually a result of a traumatic injury or inflammatory disease, especially in the elderly.
Some studies report an association with neck pain, relieved by anti-inflammatory drugs and neck immobilization.
Calcification or ossification of the alar ligament is an uncommon normal variant and can mimic an acute fracture of the craniovertebral junction