Fracture of the anterior arch of atlas after minor trauma of the immature spine postlaminectomy

Abstract

Torticollis is a common complaint in the pediatric emergency department. Here, we report what we believe to be the first example in a young child of a fracture of the anterior arch of the atlas associated with an acquired, postsurgical defect of the posterior arch. A brief review of pediatric cervical spine injuries and fractures is presented. Atlas laminectomy may predispose patients to isolated atlas fractures even with minor trauma. Those fractures, however, are stable and treated by hard cervical orthosis.