[Application of spiral CT reconstruction in the forensic identification of atlantoaxial injuries].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate diagnostic value of spiral CT reconstruction in atlantoaxial injuries.


METHODS
The images of 25 cases of spiral CT reconstruction were analyzed and compared with images of CT scan and X-ray.


RESULTS
In 7 cases of odontoid process fracture, X-ray demonstrated 4 cases and CT demonstrated 5 cases, whereas the spiral CT reconstruction diagnosed 7 cases, which could display the displacement of fracture clearly. The X-ray and CT showed asymmetric space between left and right gaps of atlantoaxial joint in 6 cases, while spiral CT reconstruction showed normal and excluded the possibility of atlantoaxial dislocation. There was one case of lateral atlantoaxial joint dislocation, which was demonstrated by the spiral CT reconstruction clearly but not by the X-ray and CT scan. There were 3 cases of atlantoaxial congenital deformity (1 case of absence of both posterior arch of atlas and odontoid process and 2 cases of maldevelopment of the odontoid process), which were displayed clearly by spiral CT reconstruction, but misdiagnosed as odontoid process fracture and atlantoaxial subluxation by X-ray and CT scan.


CONCLUSIONS
Spiral CT reconstruction can provide the most accurate and integrity imaging information and is very useful in the diagnosis of atlantoaxial injuries and deformity.
School of Forensic Medicine, China Medical University, Shenyang 110001, China. cmuxxm@163.com
Xiao-ming
XM
Xu
Chuan-fei
CF
Zheng
Xing-ben
XB
Liu
Ji-hui
JH
Liu
D000063:Accidents, Traffic; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001268:Atlanto-Axial Joint / Q000293:injuries*; D001270:Cervical Atlas / Q000293:injuries*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005554:Forensic Medicine / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D004204:Joint Dislocations / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009809:Odontoid Process / Q000293:injuries; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013124:Spinal Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D036542:Tomography, Spiral Computed / Q000379:methods*; D055815:Young Adult