title: False-positive diagnosis of an odontoid fracture by CT scan.
abstract: Although computed tomography (CT) is a valuable tool for evaluating spine trauma, it's usefulness is limited. Horizontally oriented fractures of the cervical spine, particularly type 2 fractures at the base of the odontoid process, may be difficult to detect with CT. Our case report illustrates a false-positive diagnosis of this fracture and suggests that conventional polytomography is superior to CT for demonstrating this particular lesion when minimal displacement is present.
authors.affiliation: University of South Florida, Tampa.
authors.forename: C E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Sutterlin
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Gutentag
authors.forename: C R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Martinez
authors.forename: G R
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Rechtine
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001368:Axis, Cervical Vertebra / Q000293:injuries*; D003951:Diagnostic Errors; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000145:classification / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008297:Male; D009809:Odontoid Process / Q000293:injuries*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed