Multiple-slice spiral CT evaluation of occipital condyle fractures / 中华放射学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To explore the MSCT findings of occipital condyle fracture (OCF) and improve its diagnostic accuracy. Methods Nineteen patients with OCF, selected from 110 patients suffering high energy injuries at the craniocervical junction, were enrolled into the study. The MSCT appearances of OCFs were retrospectively analyzed by two experienced radiologists. OCF had four types type Ⅰ was a comminuted fracture, type Ⅱ was a extension of basilar skull fracture, type Ⅲ was an avulsion fracture at the attachment site of alar ligament on occipital condyle, type Ⅳ was a fracture of mixed pattern consisting of two or more above fracture types. Results In 19 patients, the left, right and bilateral OCFs were seen in 7,11 cases, and 1 case, respectively. Type Ⅰ was found in one case, which was a comminution of the left occipital condyle. Type Ⅱ was found in 5 cases, which involved the middle and posterior parts of occipital condyles with 2 on the left and 3 on the right, Type Ⅲ was found in 12 cases which showed various degree of fragment displacement with 3 occuring on the left, 8 on the right, 1 involving bilateral sides, 6 involving articular surfaces and 7 accompaning by enlargment of alar ligaments. Type Ⅳ was found in one case, with coexistence of Type Ⅱ and type Ⅲ. In addition, OCFs were accompanied by head and (or) cervical spine injuries in 14 cases, which included cranial fracture in 8 cases, epidural hematoma in 4 cases, subarachnoid hemorrhage in one case, cerebral contusion and laceration in one case, subfalcial hernia in one case, cervical spine fracture and dislocation in 9 cases, and so on. Conclusion OCFs can be accurately diagnosed by MSCT, which is important for selection of treatment protocols.