Absent cervical spine pedicle and associated congenital spinal abnormalities - a diagnostic trap in a setting of acute trauma: case report.
BACKGROUND
Congenital spinal abnormalities can easily be misdiagnosed on plain radiographs. Additional imaging is warranted in doubtful cases, especially in a setting of acute trauma.


METHODS
This patient presented at the emergency unit of our university hospital after a motor vehicle accident and was sent to our radiology department for imaging of the cervical spine. Initial clinical examination and plain radiographs of the cervical spine were performed but not conclusive. Additional CT of the neck helped establish the right diagnosis.


CONCLUSIONS
CT as a three-dimensional imaging modality with the possibility of multiplanar reconstructions allows for the exact diagnosis and exclusion of acute traumatic lesions of the cervical spine, especially in cases of doubtful plain radiographs and when congenital spinal abnormalities like absent cervical spine pedicle with associated spina bifida may insinuate severe trauma.
University Hospital Zurich, Switzerland. roman.guggenberger@usz.ch
Roman
R
Guggenberger
Gustav
G
Andreisek
Hans
H
Scheffel
Simon
S
Wildermuth
Sebastian
S
Leschka
Paul
P
Stolzmann
D000015:Abnormalities, Multiple / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D000328:Adult; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D003951:Diagnostic Errors / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013124:Spinal Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*