DIAGNOSTIC PROBLEMS IN OCCIPITAL CONDYLE FRACTURES

Three cases involving fractures of the occipital condyle were recently treated by the authors. Since plain radiographs of the upper cervical spine often fail to reveal this lesion, it can be difficult to diagno se. It seems to be more common than previously suspected and described . We found one axial compression fracture and two avulsion fractures w ith different degrees of atlanto-occipital instability. Mandibular fra cture occurred in all cases. There was no severe craniocervical trauma . The atlanto-occipital junction should always be included in the CT e valuation of facial or craniocervical trauma. Thin-section CT of the c raniocervical region can best visualize this fracture and should be us ed when it is suspected. All cases were treated by orthotic immobilisa tion.