Coincidental Congenital Absence of the Posterior Arch of the Atlas and the Unilateral Lumbosacral Articular Process: A Case Report.
10.4055/jkoa.2007.42.4.559
- Author:
Chang Hoon JEON
1
;
Gu Young CHUNG
;
Nam Su CHUNG
;
Un Seup JEOUNG
;
Dong Hyun LEE
;
Jae Hyun JO
Author Information
1. Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Ajou University College of Medicine, Suwon, Korea. chjeon@ajou.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Case Report
- Keywords:
Congenital anomaly;
Articular process;
Lumbar spine;
Atlas;
Posterior arch
- MeSH:
Buttocks;
Headache;
Humans;
Low Back Pain;
Magnetic Resonance Imaging;
Neck Pain;
Radiography;
Spinal Cord;
Swimming;
Young Adult
- From:The Journal of the Korean Orthopaedic Association
2007;42(4):559-564
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
We encountered a case of coincidental congenital complete absence of the posterior arch of the atlas and the unilateral lumbosacral articular process. A 21-year-old man presented with pain in the lower back and right buttock. The patient was a swimming coach. On plain radiography, computerized tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, the congenital absence of the unilateral lumbosacral articular process was noted. Six months later, the patient developed severe neck pain and suboccipital headaches without neurological signs. On plain radiography and computerized tomography, the congenital complete absence of the posterior arch of the atlas was noted. Magnetic resonance imaging showed no abnormal signs originating from the posterior spinal cord. There was no segmental instability. For this case, the lower back pain and neck pain were managed by conservative treatment. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of a coincidental congenital complete absence of the posterior arch of the atlas and the unilateral lumbosacral articular process.
