Presentation
History of trauma and a displaced comminuted humeral neck fracture (not shown), as well as neck pain.
Patient Data
non-fusion of the anterior and posterior arches of the atlas
unfused ends of the posterior arch well corticated with smooth margins
unfused ends of the anterior arch also well corticated with smooth margins
both likely degenerative changes indicating chronicity
no other traumatic cervical spine injuries
Case Discussion
There is non-fusion of the anterior and posterior arches of the atlas – the split atlas (bipartite atlas).
This anatomical variant must be kept in mind as it can be mistaken for a fracture in the setting of trauma and as opposed to a fracture the unfused ends are not displaced, appear well-corticated, and have smooth margins.
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