Imaging Atlantooccipital and Atlantoaxial Traumatic Injuries.

Cervical spine injuries, specifically the atlantooccipital joint and atlantoaxial joint, often involve the spinal canal or large blood vessels that supply blood to the brain. Patient handling, transport, and positioning for imaging plays an important role in diagnosis, treatment, and patient prognosis. This article discusses cervical spine anatomy, specific traumatic spinal injuries, and radiography's role in treating these injuries. Treatment options and imaging before and after treatment also are discussed, and a description of dose reduction techniques is included.