Bilateral occipital condyle fractures leading to retropharyngeal haematoma and acute respiratory distress

Injuries to the occipito-cervical junction are rare and not easily diagnosed on conventional radiographs. The authors report such a case where the diagnosis was delayed. The patient developed a significant retrophyarngeal haematoma resulting in acute respiratory distress and required emergency endotracheal intubation. The patient remained intubated for five days and received a tapered dose of intravenous dexamethazone to reduce swelling in the proximity of the airway. At six weeks the patient had developed a left hypoglossal nerve palsy that persisted at 12 months. Occipital condyle fractures and the difficulties of diagnosis are discussed. The importance of measuring pre-vertebral soft tissue swelling on lateral radiographs is emphasized. Computed tomography of the C0–C2 region should be performed to identify base of skull and upper cervical fractures.Brian J. C. Freeman and Hannes Behenskyhttp://www.elsevier.com/wps/find/journaldescription.cws_home/30428/description#descriptio