The injury is a result of disruption of the stabilizing ligaments between the occiput, or posterior skull base, and the C1 vertebral body, otherwise known as the atlas. The diagnosis is usually suspected by history and physical exam, but confirmed by imaging, typically by CT due to its faster speed in the acute trauma setting, although MRI can also help with assessment in equivocal cases. The treatment is initial stabilization with a cervical spine collar, and then surgical intervention in cases in which reversal of paralysis is possible. The most common mechanism of injury is high-speed motor vehicle accidents. The injury is more likely in children due to the large size of their heads relative to their bodies, and more horizontal orientation of the<unk>  condyles. It represents <1% of all cervical spine injuries. Several subtypes of<unk>  are known. Traynelis et al. differentiates anterior dislocation (type 1), vertical dislocation (type 2) and posterior dislocation (type 3) of the head relative to the spine. Other variants with lateral or rotatory displacement have been described, as well as mixed types. Common etiology for such injuries is sudden and severe deceleration leading to a whiplash-like mechanism.
Atlanto-occipital dislocation
Zygomaticomaxillary complex fracture
Galeazzi fracture
Olecranon fracture
Cervical dislocation
Crus fracture
Basilar skull fracture
Gosselin fracture