CT appearance of congenital defect resembling the Hangman's fracture.
OBJECTIVE
Congenital defects of C2 are rare and can be confused with Hangman's fractures. CT has been advocated as aiding in differentiation between an acute fracture and congenital defects.


METHODS
We present a case of a 2-year-old recent accident victim, who was erroneously diagnosed by plain film and CT as having a Hangman's fracture.


RESULTS
The CT demonstrated an atypical appearance of a congenital defect.


CONCLUSIONS
This case shows that the radiographic differentiation between a Hangman's fracture and a congenital defect is more difficult than previously described.
Memorial Medical Center, 4700 Waters Avenue, Savannah, GA 31404, USA.
J P
JP
Williams
D H
DH
Baker
W A
WA
Miller
D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000293:injuries; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016103:Spinal Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed