Bilateral occipital condylar fracture with associated haematomas

Authors: Wyngaert, R.1; Mulkens, T.; Baeyaert, M.; Bellinck, P.; Salgado, R.; Ghijsen, D.; Dijck, X.; Termote, J.

Source: Emergency Radiology, Volume 13, Number 2, November 2006 , pp. 79-82(4)

Publisher: Springer

Abstract:

Occipital condylar fractures (OCFs) seem to be rare. The exact incidence is unknown, but a few studies reported a 3-4% incidence of OCFs in patients with severe head injury and altered Glasgow Coma Scale score. The low incidence of OCFs and missed diagnoses in these patients may result in late neurological deficits. We report the history of a patient with bilateral OCFs, a combined fracture of the anterior arcus of the atlas and associated retropharyngeal and epidural cervical haematomas, who presented without life-threatening symptoms or neurological deficits.

Keywords: Occipital condyle fracture; Spinal trauma; Epidural haematoma; Retropharyngeal haematoma

Document Type: Research article

DOI: 10.1007/s10140-006-0516-6

Affiliations: 1: Email: roeldewijngaert@hotmail.com

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