Fractures of the atlas: can we rely on the NICE guidelines for imaging the cervical spine after head injury?

B Barry; G George; H Oag; B Shafighian

doi:10.1136/emj.2006.038257

Fractures of the atlas: can we rely on the NICE guidelines for imaging the cervical spine after head injury?

Emerg Med J. 2006 Sep;23(9):e52. doi: 10.1136/emj.2006.038257.

Authors

B Barry¹, G George, H Oag, B Shafighian

Affiliation

¹ Horton Hospital, Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals NHS Trust, Banbury, Oxon, OX16 9AL, UK.

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.

Publication types

Case Reports

MeSH terms

Adult
Cervical Atlas / diagnostic imaging*
Cervical Atlas / injuries*
Cervical Vertebrae / diagnostic imaging
Craniocerebral Trauma / complications
Craniocerebral Trauma / diagnostic imaging
Female
Fractures, Bone / diagnostic imaging*
Fractures, Bone / etiology
Fractures, Bone / therapy
Humans
Neck Pain / etiology
Practice Guidelines as Topic
Radiography