A Rare Occipital Condyle Fracture in a Patient With A Minor Head Injury

Abstract

Occipital condyle fracture (OCF) is an uncommon but potentially fatal disease entity. It is most commonly identified in patients suffering from severe craniocerebral trauma. The advent of computed tomography has made early detection possible. Traditional treatment using a hard neck collar is sufficient to produce solid fusion in most OCF patients. Delayed diagnosis, however, may result in neurologic deterioration due to potential displacement of fractured condylar fragments. Here we report a case of isolated, stable OCF in a patient with a minor head injury. A high level of clinical awareness of this rare disease entity is imperative for the management of traumatized patients, especially for those who have minor head injuries but persistent neck pain.

Keywords

• external immobilization
• minor head injury
• occipital condyle fracture