The management and treatment of cervical spine injuries

This is a burst fracture of the ring of C1 (Figure 10). This fracture is caused by a compressive downward force that is transmitted evenly through the occipital condyles to the superior articular surfaces of the lateral masses of C1. This process displaces the masses laterally and causes fractures of the anterior and posterior arches, along with possible disruption of the transverse ligament. Quadruple fracture of all four aspects of the C1 ring occurs.