title: Fractures of the atlas: can we rely on the NICE guidelines for imaging the cervical spine after head injury?
abstract: We describe a patient who was not thought to fulfil the NICE criteria for imaging the cervical spine after head injury but who had two fractures of the atlas, thus rendering the vertebral ring unstable. The reasons for missing this injury in the emergency department are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Horton Hospital, Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals NHS Trust, Banbury, Oxon, OX16 9AL, UK.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Barry
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: George
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Oag
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Shafighian
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001270:Cervical Atlas / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000293:injuries*; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006259:Craniocerebral Trauma / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005260:Female; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D019547:Neck Pain / Q000209:etiology; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011859:Radiography