title: A nodular calcification of the alar ligament simulating a fracture in the craniovertebral junction.
abstract: We report a case of an incidental nodular calcification of the alar ligament simulating a fracture in the craniovertebral junction of a previously healthy 24-year-old man. Three-dimensional CT and MR imaging revealed a 7.2 x 7.6 x 4.0 mm nodular calcification in the right alar ligament with normal adjacent bony structures. Serial cervical dynamic radiographs and open-mouth views showed that the cervical spine was stable without any change in the calcification.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, College of Medicine, Cheju National University Hospital, Jeju City, South Korea. kibumsim@gmail.com
authors.forename: K-B
authors.initials: KB
authors.lastname: Sim
authors.forename: J K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Park
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001924:Brain Concussion / Q000175:diagnosis; D002114:Calcinosis / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D008023:Ligaments, Articular / Q000473:pathology*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D009777:Occipital Bone / Q000293:injuries* / Q000473:pathology; D009809:Odontoid Process / Q000293:injuries* / Q000473:pathology; D009917:Orbital Fractures / Q000175:diagnosis; D012887:Skull Fractures / Q000175:diagnosis; D016103:Spinal Fractures / Q000175:diagnosis*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed