Occult occipital condyle fracture with normal neurological function and torticollis

Occipital condyle fracture is a rare and easily neglected fracture. We describe a case of type III fracture with torticollis and normal neurological function. A young woman who had experienced a head injury was suffering from neck pain. Torticollis developed several days later and a CT scan of the cervical spine revealed a type III left occipital condyle fracture. She had no neurological deficits. External cervical traction and 3 months of halo vest immobilization were applied. A follow-up CT scan showed good healing and re-attachment of the bony fragment. The patient recovered well without adverse sequelae. We conclude that physicians should be alert to the possibility of occipital condyle fracture in trauma patients. (c) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.