[Elongated transverse process of the atlas. A contribution to the differential diagnosis of cervical lymph node hyperplasia].

In some patients the transverse process is palpable as a solid immobile knot in the angle of the mandible and is sometimes interpreted as an enlarged cervical gland or as a tumour of the parotid gland. The difficulties of differential diagnosis are illustrated by case reports. The possibilities of examination (full-size radiogram, tomogram, computer tomogram) are shown. The results of cephalometric measurements concerning the size of the atlas and its relation to the base of the skull are also described.