Atlantoaxial malformation as a rare cause of dysphagia and snoring

Abnormalities of the atlantoaxial spine are very rare variants. Bony outgrowths, osteophytes, clefts and aplasia may be misinterpreted as degenerative diseases. One patient presented with intermittent dysphagia and snoring and CT and MRI scans of the cervical spine showed an accessory bone located anterior to the atlas and axis. Atlantoaxial anomalies are often incidental findings without clinical symptoms. Such changes are rarely the cause of intermittent dysphagia and snoring.