Displacement of the spinolaminar line--a sign of value in fractures of the upper cervical spine.

The spinolaminar line is an important anatomical landmark easily visualized on the lateral radiograph of the cervical spine. Any displacement in this line may be an indication of subtle traumatic vertebral damage. This is particularly relevant to the upper cervical spine in which the complex anatomy and frequent absence of associated neurological deficit make diagnosis difficult. Two case histories are presented which emphasize the importance of evaluation of the spinolaminar line on the lateral radiograph after trauma to the head and neck.