UNASSIGNED: Approximately one-third of all cervical spine injuries involve the craniocervical junction (CCJ). Composed of the occiput and the first two cervical vertebrae, this important anatomic landmark, in conjunction with an intricate ligamentous complex, is essential to maintaining the stability of the cervical spine. The atlantoaxial joint is the most mobile portion of the spine, predominantly relying on the ligamentous framework for stability at that level. As acute onsite management of @entity130 @entity1 continues to improve, @entity4215 , which often lead to death onsite where the injury occurred, are increasingly being encountered in the emergency department. Understanding the anatomy of the CCJ is crucial in properly evaluating the cervical spine, allowing the radiologist to assess its stability in the @entity130 setting. The imaging findings of important @entity4215 , such as @entity4785 , @entity174 , @entity174 with transverse ligament rupture, atlantoaxial distraction, and @entity130 , are important to recognize in the acute setting, often dictating @entity1 management. Thin-section multidetector computed tomography with sagittal and coronal reformats is the study of choice in evaluating the extent of injury, allowing the radiologist to thoroughly evaluate the stability of the cervical spine. Furthermore, magnetic resonance (MR) imaging is increasingly being used to evaluate the spinal soft tissues and ligaments, and to identify associated @entity1566 , if present. MR imaging is also indicated in @entity1 whose neurologic status cannot be evaluated within 48 hours of injury. (  )RSNA, 2015.

Imaging of Atlanto-Occipital and XXXX : What the Radiologist Needs to Know.

@entity1 :: ('9606', 'Species') :: ['patients', 'patient'] @entity4215 :: ('MESH:D020196', 'Disease') :: ['CCJ injuries'] @entity174 :: ('MESH:D050723', 'Disease') :: ['atlas fractures', 'occipital condyle fractures'] @entity4785 :: ('MESH:D004213', 'Disease') :: ['atlanto-occipital dissociation'] @entity1566 :: ('MESH:D013119', 'Disease') :: ['spinal cord injury'] @entity130 :: ('MESH:D014947', 'Disease') :: ['trauma', 'traumatic rotatory subluxation']
@entity130 :: (MESH:D014947,Disease) :: ['Atlantoaxial Traumatic Injuries']
