Objective: To report on a physiological radiographic finding of the cervical spine in childhood that trends to be misjudged as pathologic: C2-C3 pseudosubluxation. We presented a girl, aged 14 months, who was remitted to our Center for clinical suspect of C2-C3 subluxation. A diagnostic methodology is offered to distinguish between C2-C3 pseudosubluxation and a true C2-C3 subluxation. A detailed anamnesis as well as a meticulous radiological and clinical exploration, allow to establish the right diagnosis in most cases, without any other complementary probe. The normal mobility of C2 on C3 in flexion could be so pronounced as to be mistaken for a pathological finding. The suitable radiographic interpretation of the cervical spine in children requires the knowledge of the peculiarities of this segment in the pediatric age.

Objective: To report on a physiological radiographic finding of the cervical spine in childhood that trends to be misjudged as pathologic: C2-C3 pseudosubluxation. We presented a girl, aged 14 months, who was remitted to our Center for clinical suspect of C2-C3 subluxation. A diagnostic methodology is offered to distinguish between C2-C3 pseudosubluxation and a true C2-C3 subluxation. A detailed anamnesis as well as a meticulous radiological and clinical exploration, allow to establish the right diagnosis in most cases, without any other complementary probe. The normal mobility of C2 on C3 in flexion could be so pronounced as to be mistaken for a pathological finding. The suitable radiographic interpretation of the cervical spine in children requires the knowledge of the peculiarities of this segment in the pediatric age.