Occipital Condyle Fractures in Traumatic Brain Injury­A Review / Fraturas de côndilo occipital no trauma cranioencefálico ­ uma revisão

É bem estabelecido que o diagnóstico da fratura de côndilo occipital tem aumentado nas últimas décadas, provavelmente devido à disponibilidade e ao uso comum da tomografia computadorizada durante a investigação do trauma craniano, além da maior gravidade dos mecanismos de trauma. Por causa da baixa especificidade da apresentação clínica, e também pelo pouco conhecimento sobre o mecanismo de lesão, o diagnóstico desta condição é um desafio para neurocirurgiões. A abordagem terapêutica destes pacientes é baseada em estudos com baixa casuística e em relatos de caso. Uma revisão sobre este tema foi realizada a fim de discutir alguns aspectos controversos sobre o manejo da fratura de côndilo occipital. As fraturas de côndilo occipital são eventos raros, entretanto podem relacionar-se à alta morbidade em pacientes que sofreram trauma encefálico. Alguns sintomas, como intensa dor cervical, podem estar associados com esta fratura; portanto, paciente com suspeita de fratura de côndilo occipital deve ser submetido a investigação radiológica detalhada da região. O diagnóstico precoce desta fratura permite investigação apropriada, minimizando a chance de sequelas.

It is well established that diagnoses of occipital condyle fracture have increased in past decades, probably because of the availability and common use of computed tomography for investigating traumatic brain injuries, as well as themajor seriousness of trauma mechanism. Because of the low specificity of clinical presentation besides the lesion mechanism not well known, this condition is a diagnostic challenge for neurosurgeons. Therapeutic approaches of these patients are based on studies with low samples and case reports. A review of this theme was performed objecting to discuss some controversial topics about management of occipital condyle fracture. The occipital condyle fracture is a rare event, and it, however, could be related to high morbidity in patients who suffered traumatic brain injury. Some symptoms such as severe neck pain are related with this fracture, and thus patients suspicious of this fracture should undergo detailed radiologic investigation of this region. Early diagnosis of this fracture allows appropriate investigation, thus minimizing the risk of sequelae.

Occipital Condyle Fracture With Isolated Unilateral Hypoglossal Nerve Palsy

Occipital condyle fractures (OCFs) with selective involvement of the hypoglossal canal are rare. OCFs usually occur after major trauma and combine multiple fractures. We describe a 38-year-old man who presented with neck pain and a tongue deviation to the right side after a traffic accident. Severe limitations were detected during active and passive range of neck motion in all directions. A physical examination revealed a normal gag reflex and normal mobility of the palate, larynx, and shoulder girdle. He had normal taste and general sensation in his tongue. However, he presented with a tongue deviation to the right side on protrusion. A videofluoroscopic swallowing study revealed piecemeal deglutition due to decreased tongue mobility but no aspiration of food. Plain X-ray film findings were negative, but a computed tomography study with coronal reconstruction demonstrated a right OCF involving the hypoglossal canal. An electrodiagnostic study revealed evidence of right hypoglossal nerve palsy. We report a rare case of isolated hypoglossal nerve palsy caused by an OCF.

Traumatic retroclival epidural hematoma and unilateral occipital condylar fracture in an adult patient

Retroclival epidural hematoma is rare, with fewer than 30 cases reported in the literature. Almost all of the previously reported cases occurred in children, with only a few cases affecting adults. Among these adult patients, only two suffered from the associated occipital condyle fracture (OCF), which is another rare injury. The patient involved in this study suffered from retroclival epidural hematoma and unilateral occipital condyle fracture, as demonstrated on both CT and MRI scans. The patient also suffered from an associated right brachial plexus injury without any other neurological deficits, a condition that has not previously been reported. This paper reviews the underlying mechanisms of these rare injuries and seeks to form an understanding of them before proposing the mechanism of injury in the patient involved in the study