title: Posterior arch defects of the atlas: significance in trauma and literature review.
abstract: Neck pain and stiffness after trauma can be caused by congenital defects in the posterior arch of the atlas. A case is described followed by a description of the pathology, classification, diagnosis and treatment of such defects. The importance of differentiating such defects from fractures in an acute trauma situation is discussed.
authors.affiliation: Southend Hospital, Prittlewell Chase, Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex SS0 0RY, UK. gangoss@aol.com
authors.forename: Soham
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gangopadhyay
authors.forename: Mohammed
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Aslam
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001270:Cervical Atlas / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009139:Musculoskeletal Abnormalities / Q000175:diagnosis*; D016103:Spinal Fractures / Q000175:diagnosis; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed