Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Aplasia of the posterior arc of the atlas with persistent posterior tubercle: a case report

  • Case Report
  • Published:
European Spine Journal Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

An unusual case of partial aplasia of the posterior arc of the atlas, with persistent posterior tubercle, is presented in a previously healthy individual who sustained a neck trauma. Both plain X-rays and CT findings specified the lesion. Dynamic X-rays in flexion and extension showed an immobile posterior tubercle. The patient did not develop neurological symptoms at any stage during follow-up (1 year).

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Connor SEJ, Chandler C, Robinson S, Jarosz JM (2001) Congenital midline cleft of the posterior arch of atlas: a rare cause of symptomatic cervical canal stenosis. Eur Radiol 11:1766–1769

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Currarino G, Rollins N, Diehl JT (1994) Congenital defects of the posterior arch of the atlas: a report of seven cases including an affected mother and son. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol 15:249–254

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Gangopadhyay S, Mohammed A (2003) Posterior arch defects of the atlas: significance in trauma and literature review. Eur J Emerg Med 10:238–240

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Geipel P (1995) Zur Kenntnis der Spaltbildung des Atlas und Epistropheus: Teil IV. Zentralbl Allg Pathol 94:19–84

    Google Scholar 

  5. Hosalkar H, Gerardi J, Shaw B (2001) Combined asymptomatic congenital anterior and posterior deficiency of the atlas. Pediatr Radiol 31:810–813

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Klimo P Jr, Blumenthal DT, Couldwell WT (2003) Congenital partial aplasia of the posterior arch of the atlas causing myelopathy. Case report and review of the literature. Spine 28:E224–E228

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Richardson EG, Boone SC, Reid RL (1975) Intermittent quadriplegia associated with a congenital anomaly of the posterior arch of atlas. J Bone Joint Surg Am 57: 853–854

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Sharma A, Gaikwad SB, Deol PS, Mishra NK, Kale SS (2000) Partial aplasia of the posterior arc of the atlas with an isolated posterior arch remnant: findings in three cases. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol 21:1167–1171

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Torriani M, Lourenco J (2002) Agenesis of the posterior arch of the atlas. Rev Hosp Clin Fac Med Sao Paulo 57:73–76

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Von Torklus D, Gehle W (1972) The upper cervical spine. Grune and Stratton, New York

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Orthopaedic Department, Patras University Hospital, 26504, Rio-Patras, Greece

    Andreas Panagopoulos, Panayiotis Zouboulis, Eustratios Athanaselis, Andreas X. Papadopoulos & Panayiotis Dimakopoulos

Authors
  1. Andreas Panagopoulos
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Panayiotis Zouboulis
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Eustratios Athanaselis
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Andreas X. Papadopoulos
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Panayiotis Dimakopoulos
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Andreas Panagopoulos.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Panagopoulos, A., Zouboulis, P., Athanaselis, E. et al. Aplasia of the posterior arc of the atlas with persistent posterior tubercle: a case report. Eur Spine J 14, 205–207 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00586-004-0789-y

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00586-004-0789-y

Keywords

Search

Navigation