[Occipital condyle fractures: a case report]

Occipital Condyle Fracture Extending to the Inferior Part of the Clivus

Although rarely reported in the literature, serious occipital and condylar fractures have been diagnosed more often with the widespread use of computed cranial tomography in traumas. In this paper, a 16-year-old female with a left occipital fracture extending from the left occipital condyle anterior of the hypoglossal canal to the inferior part of the clivus is presented. The fracture which had caused a neurological deficit was cured with conservative treatment. For delayed hypoglossal nerve paralysis due to swelling within the canal, methylprednisolone was started, and a complete cure was attained in about 10 days. Traumatic damage of bony structures of the condyle and clivus at the junction of many vital nerves, vessels, and ligaments may lead to traumatic deficit and death.