[CT of fractures and ligament ruptures of the 1st and 2d cervical vertebrae]

On the basis of a patient material from a period of 14 months in a neuroradiological department, the fracture types in the first and second cervical vertebrae are reviewed. Computed tomography is found to be of particular value in cases of suspected fractures of the first cervical vertebrae, which is frequently found to be considerably more fragmented on computed tomography than in conventional x-rays, while fractures can be excluded in other cases. In cases of fracture of the second cervical vertebrae, computed tomography can reveal rotation of fragments of the body into the spinal canal while fractures of the dens may be overlooked if supplementary reconstructive sections are not carried out.