Annemarie de Zoete1, Ursula A Langeveld. 1. Praktijk Chiropractie Heiloo, Kennemerstraatweg 69, 1851 BB Heiloo, The Netherlands. info@roosenberg.nl
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this case report is to draw attention to the differences between a Jefferson fracture and a congenital anomaly of the anterior and/or the posterior arch of the atlas. CLINICAL FEATURES: A 42-year-old woman visited the chiropractic practice complaining of headache, neck pain, dizziness, and numbness in both of her arms after she fell vertically and directly on her head twice on a playground. Before this fall, she had no such complaints. After taking x-rays of the cervical spine, a Jefferson fracture was suspected. INTERVENTION AND OUTCOME: After computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging scanning, the patient was diagnosed with a congenital anomaly that looked very similar to a Jefferson fracture. After instability of the cervical spine was excluded by the neurosurgeon, chiropractic treatment was delivered. After 6 treatments, the complaints were significantly reduced. CONCLUSION: It is important to be familiar with the differences between a congenital anomaly of the atlas and a Jefferson fracture and to exclude instability of the upper cervical spine before treatment is started.
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this case report is to draw attention to the differences between a Jefferson fracture and a congenital anomaly of the anterior and/or the posterior arch of the atlas. CLINICAL FEATURES: A 42-year-old woman visited the chiropractic practice complaining of headache, neck pain, dizziness, and numbness in both of her arms after she fell vertically and directly on her head twice on a playground. Before this fall, she had no such complaints. After taking x-rays of the cervical spine, a Jefferson fracture was suspected. INTERVENTION AND OUTCOME: After computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging scanning, the patient was diagnosed with a congenital anomaly that looked very similar to a Jefferson fracture. After instability of the cervical spine was excluded by the neurosurgeon, chiropractic treatment was delivered. After 6 treatments, the complaints were significantly reduced. CONCLUSION: It is important to be familiar with the differences between a congenital anomaly of the atlas and a Jefferson fracture and to exclude instability of the upper cervical spine before treatment is started.
Authors: Roman Guggenberger; Gustav Andreisek; Hans Scheffel; Simon Wildermuth; Sebastian Leschka; Paul Stolzmann Journal: BMC Med Imaging Date: 2010-11-09 Impact factor: 1.930