What type of injury is present?
There is a distraction injury, which is in the spectrum of atlanto-occipital dissociation injuries.
The basion-dens interval and basion-axial interval are usual adjuncts when assessing the cervico-occipital junction. What is the normal measurement of these intervals?
They should be measure < 12 mm.
Alignment of the spine is disrupted.
Widening of bilateral atlanto-occipital joints is present consistent with severe ligamentous spinal injury and atlantooccipital dissociation.
High density material is demonstrated posterior to the dens and would be in keeping with haematoma which extends intracranially.
No cervical spine fracture is identified. ETT and NGT present and therefore prevertebral soft tissues cannot be assessed.