Congenital anomaly of the atlas: Currarino type C

Case contributed by Akos Jaray
Diagnosis certain

Presentation

Whiplash injury in road traffic collision. Presented with neck pain and stiffness. No relevant previous medical history.

Patient Data

Age: 47
Gender: Male

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.

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