Radiographs will show asymmetry in the odontoid view with displacement of the lateral masses away from the odontoid peg.
A typical mechanism of injury is diving head first into shallow water. Axial loading along the axis of the cervical spine results in the occipital condyles being driven into the lateral masses of C1. ( Treatment and disposition only per neurology/neurosurgery management ).
Stable burst fractures can be treated effectively with a rigid cervical collar alone ( only per neurosurgeon ). Unstable Jefferson fractures require surgical stabilization.
All significant C-T-LS spine injuries require emergency neurology/neurosurgery consult. Transfer to higher level center if not available .
CT scan/MRI necessary as part of workup before disposition.
