Calcification of the Alar Ligament Mimics Fracture of the Craniovertebral Junction (CVJ): An Incidental Finding from Computerised Tomography of the Cervical Spine Following Trauma
- Author:
Siti Kamariah Che Mohamed
;
Azian Abd. Aziz
- Publication Type:Case Reports
- Keywords:
cervical spine, calcification, computerised tomography, injury, medical sciences
- From:Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences
2009;16(4):69-72
- CountryMalaysia
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
When performing a radiological assessment for a trauma case with associated head injury,
a fragment of dense tissue detected near the craniovertebral junction would rapidly be assessed as
a fractured bone fragment. However, if further imaging and evaluation of the cervical spine with
computerised tomography (CT) did not demonstrate an obvious fracture, then the possibility of
ligament calcification would be considered. We present a case involving a previously healthy 44-yearold
man who was admitted following a severe head injury from a road traffic accident. CT scans of
the head showed multiple intracranial haemorrhages, while scans of the cervical spine revealed a
small, well-defined, ovoid calcification in the right alar ligament. This was initially thought to be a
fracture fragment. Although such calcification is uncommon, accident and emergency physicians and
radiologists may find this useful as a differential diagnosis in patients presenting with neck pain or
traumatic head injury.
- Full text:W020151022417898154657.pdf
