Difficulties in distinguishing between an atlas fracture and a congenital posterior atlas arch defect in postmortem analysis

作者：Sanchis Gimeno Juan A^*; Blanco Perez Esther; Aparicio Luis; Martinez Soriano Francisco; Martinez Sanjuan Vicente

来源：Forensic Science International, 2014, 242: E1-E5.

DOI：10.1016/j.forsciint.2014.06.016

• Atlas
• Atlas fracture
• CT scan
• Posterior atlas arch defect

We found one atlas from a sample of 148 skeletons (0.67%) that presented different anatomical variations which made it difficult to determine whether the vertebra had an atlas fracture, an unusual Type B posterior atlas arch defect, or a combination of both. We carried out a stereomicroscopy, radiographic, and computerized tomography scan study that revealed that the dry atlas we found presented a very uncommon congenital Type B posterior atlas arch defect, simulating a fracture. In short, the present paper has revealed that differentiating Type B posterior atlas arch defects from fractures in post-mortem dry vertebrae is more difficult than expected. Thus we believe that it can be easier than expected to mistake Type B posterior arch defects for fractures and vice versa in postmortem studies.

• 出版日期2014-9