title: [Partial aplasia of the atlas in a child].
abstract: Congenital anomalies of the atlas are rare but well documented. They can range from total agenesis to partial clefts of the posterior and/or anterior arches and are mostly incidental findings after a sustained trauma. It is essential to differentiate these congenital variants from fractures of the atlas to prevent the patient from unnecessary (neuro-) surgical intervention. In this article the case of a 10-year-old girl is described with an unusual finding of partial aplasia of the posterior arch. The clinical features and diagnostic and therapeutic procedures are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Unfall-, Hand- und Wiederherstellungschirurgie, Universitätsklinikum Giessen und Marburg, Standort Marburg, Marburg, Germany.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bliemel
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kuehl
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ruchholtz
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Kühne
mesh_terms: D001270:Cervical Atlas / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000601:surgery*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*