Presentation
Whiplash injury in road traffic collision. Presented with neck pain and stiffness. No relevant previous medical history.
Patient Data
Co-author: Dr Pavlo Milan

Defect of the lateral arches is noted on lateral X-ray.
The sclerotic contour suggests a congenital cause rather than traumatic origin.




Bilateral partial cleft of the posterior arch of the atlas in keeping with Currarino type C defect.
Case Discussion
No trauma related cervical spine injury.
The presence of the bilateral partial cleft of the posterior arch of C1 correlates with Currarino type C congenital defect, which is, among further congenital cervical neck abnormalities, important to be distinguished from bony injury on x-ray.