Preventing unnecessary radiation, pseudosubluxation of C2 on C3 in children: a clinic-radiological diagnostic error than can happen

Abstract

We present a 4 year-old kid who sustained a fall from 8 meters. Physical examination didn’t show cervical pain or tenderness and cervical x-ray showed a spondylolisthesis of C2-C3. The cervical spondylolisthesis of C2-C3 has been described as normal in pediatric patients and it has to be differentiated from traumatic injuries. The Swischuk line is a radiological sign that can help to differentiate a normal finding from a severe condition, along with a good clinical history and a thorough physical examination.

Keywords

• Radiology. Emergency medicine. Pediatrics.