©The Author(s) 2015. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.
World J Radiol. Oct 28, 2015; 7(10): 357-360
Published online Oct 28, 2015. doi: 10.4329/wjr.v7.i10.357
Published online Oct 28, 2015. doi: 10.4329/wjr.v7.i10.357
Delayed diagnosis of isolated alar ligament rupture: A case report
Robin A Kaufmann, Thomas J Vogl, Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, D-60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
Ingo Marzi, Department of Trauma, Hand and Reconstructive Surgery, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, D-60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
Author contributions: Kaufmann RA was mainly responsible for writing and researching the paper; Vogl TJ was the involved radiologist and Marzi I the traumatologist.
Institutional review board statement: Not applicable for case reports in our instituion.
Informed consent statement: Patient gave informed consent to publication of case report.
Conflict-of-interest statement: No conflict of interest.
Correspondence to: Robin A Kaufmann, MD, Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, D-60590 Frankfurt am Main, Germany. robin.kaufmann@students.unibe.ch
Telephone: +49-69-63017277 Fax: +49-69-63017258
Received: March 30, 2015
Peer-review started: April 8, 2015
First decision: May 13, 2015
Revised: June 23, 2015
Accepted: June 30, 2015
Article in press: July 2, 2015
Published online: October 28, 2015
Processing time: 210 Days and 5.9 Hours
Peer-review started: April 8, 2015
First decision: May 13, 2015
Revised: June 23, 2015
Accepted: June 30, 2015
Article in press: July 2, 2015
Published online: October 28, 2015
Processing time: 210 Days and 5.9 Hours
Core Tip
Core tip: Upper cervical spine injuries are common and bear a relevant medical and socioeconomic impact. While most of such lesions are related to atlantoaxial rotatory dislocation, thus far only few patients with isolated alar ligament ruptures have been reported. This particular trauma is a challenge to both clinicians and radiologists and diagnosis might thus be delayed. Here we present a further case of a young adult and discuss the value of sequential contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging in establishing this diagnosis at a late stage and in the follow-up of a subsequently prolonged recovery.