Congenital anomaly of the atlas misdiagnosed as posterior arch fracture of the atlas and atlantoaxial subluxation

Abstract

Partial or complete absence of the posterior arch of the atlas is a well-documented anomaly but a relatively rare condition. This condition is usually asymptomatic so most are diagnosed incidentally. There have been a few documented cases of congenital defects of the posterior arch of the atlas combined with atlantoaxial subluxation. We report a very rare case of congenital anomaly of the atlas combined with atlantoaxial subluxation, that can be misdiagnosed as posterior arch fracture. © 2014 by The Korean Orthopaedic Association.