Three-dimensional computerized tomographic demonstration of bilateral atlantoaxial rotatory dislocation in an adult: report of a case and review of the literature.

A rare case of bilateral atlantoaxial rotatory dislocation (Fielding type V) in an adult is presented. The diagnosis was rapidly made by computed axial tomography. Prior reports of this entity have not clearly defined the pathoanatomy, which in our case was confirmed by three-dimensional tomographic reconstruction. We offer a clarification of the anatomic lesion and a discussion of this injury, which may make recognition and treatment of future cases easier.