Occipital condyle fracture (type 1) and atlas transverse process fracture (type 5)

Case contributed by Craig Hacking
Diagnosis certain

Presentation

Fall from roof.

Patient Data

Age: 80 years
Gender: Male
  • Comminuted and minimally displaced fracture of the left occipital condyle. Widening of the left occipital-C1 articulation.
  • Undisplaced fracture of the left C1 transverse process tip.
  • Undisplaced fracture of the C6 left articular pillar involving the inferior articular facet.
  • Undisplaced fracture of the T1 left superior articular facet.
  • Minimally displaced right C5, C6 and C7 transverse process fractures.
  • Ankylosis of the bilateral C2/C3 and left C4/5 facet joints.
  • Multilevel degenerative changes of the cervical spine with loss of intervertebral disc heights, anterior osteophytes and uncovertebral arthropathy.
  • Severe left exit foraminal narrowing involving C3/C4, C4/C5, C5/C6.

Case Discussion

The occipital condyle fracture represents a type 1 injury, which is a comminuted fracture with impaction and is generally considered a stable injury.

The transverse process fracture of the atlas represents a Gehweiler type 5 injury, which is limited to the transverse process and sparing the 'ring' of the vertebra.

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