Circumferential fracture of the skull base causing craniocervical dislocation. Case report

Ganesh Rao1, Adam S Arthur, Ronald I Apfelbaum

  • 1Department of Neurosurgery, University of Utah, Salt Lake City 84132, USA. ganesh.rao@hsc.utah.edu

Fractures of the craniocervical junction are common in victims of high-speed motor vehicle accidents; indeed, injury to this area is often fatal. The authors present the unusual case of a young woman who sustained a circumferential fracture of the craniocervical junction. Despite significant trauma to this area, she suffered remarkably minor neurological impairment and made an excellent recovery. Her injuries, treatment, and outcome, as well as a review of the literature with regard to injuries at the craniocervical junction, are discussed.