title: Two cases of fatal atlantoaxial distraction injury without fracture or rotation.
abstract: Atlantoaxial injuries, regardless of mechanism, typically result in bony injury. We present two unusual cases of fatal traumatic C-1-C-2 distraction without associated fracture or rotation. The ligamentous anatomy, common underlying structural/medical predispositions, and the possible mechanism of injury are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Washington Medical Center, Seattle 98195.
authors.forename: D L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Silbergeld
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Laohaprasit
authors.forename: M S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Grady
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Anderson
authors.forename: H R
authors.initials: HR
authors.lastname: Winn
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001268:Atlanto-Axial Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries* / Q000503:physiopathology; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D004204:Joint Dislocations / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008297:Male; D011859:Radiography; D012399:Rotation; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014711:Vertebral Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries*