{"id":"035cf9cd-08d4-4f0c-a2d6-fe6c5ff56507","slug":"bipartite-atlas-in-a-collegiate-football-player-not-necessarily-a-contraindication-for-return-to-play-a-case-report-and-review-of-the-literature","title":"Bipartite atlas in a collegiate football player – Not necessarily a contraindication for return-to-play: A case report and review of the literature","authors":["Anthony L. Petraglia","Sean M. Childs","Corey T. Walker","Jeffery Hogg","Julian E. Bailes","Mathew W. Lively"],"abstract":"Background: Congenital malformations of the posterior arch of the atlas are rare, occurring in 4% of the population. Anterior arch aplasia is extremely rare and often only coexists with posterior arch anomalies, resulting in a split or bipartite atlas. This congenital anomaly is believed to be present in only 0.1% of the population. Case Description: A 19-year-old male collegiate football player presented with neck pain and upper extremity paresthesias after sustaining a tackle that forced neck hyperextension. Computed tomography revealed significant congenital bony anomalies of the cervical spine, with incomplete fusion of the anterior and posterior arches of the atlas; however, there was no evidence for of any acute traumatic injury or fracture. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed increased edema in pre-vertebral soft tissues around C1–C2, with a possible increase in signal within the fibrous ring of the anterior C1 ring. Flexion and extension imaging confirmed reduced range of motion and no instability. Patient was treated non-operatively, and was able to resume normal activity and training regimens, and continued to do well clinically. Conclusion: We describe a rare case of split or bipartite atlas in collegiate football athlete who sustained a neck injury during a tackle. The patient had no atlanto-axial instability or other clinical contraindications and was managed non-operatively, resuming full participation shortly thereafter with a full resolution of symptoms.","thumbnailUrl":"https://sni-digital-videos.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/035cf9cd-08d4-4f0c-a2d6-fe6c5ff56507/featured/hero-1782420999288.png","publishDate":"2012-10-13T00:00:00.000Z","doi":"10.4103/2152-7806.102351","categories":["Original Article"],"fullTextUrl":"http://sni.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/3466/SNI-3-126.pdf"}