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[Collet-Sicard Syndrome due to Occipital Condyle Fracture. Case Report].
1Spondylochirurgické oddělení Fakultní nemocnice v Motole a III. chirurgické kliniky 1. lékařské fakulty Univerzity Karlovy v Praze.
Acta Chirurgiae Orthopaedicae Et Traumatologiae Cechoslovaca
|January 21, 2016
Summary
A 63-year-old man developed Collet-Sicard syndrome after a bicycle fall fractured his occipital condyle. Despite conservative treatment, persistent dysphonia, dysphagia, and muscle atrophy highlight the syndrome's lasting impact.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Otorhinolaryngology
- Radiology
Background:
- Collet-Sicard syndrome is a rare condition characterized by paralysis of the palate, pharynx, larynx, and tongue, often resulting from injuries to the skull base.
- This case highlights a specific etiology: a right occipital condyle fracture from a bicycle accident.
Observation:
- A 63-year-old male presented with dysphonia and dysphagia immediately following a fall.
- Clinical examination and diagnostic imaging (CT and MRI) revealed a right occipital condyle fracture and confirmed injury to cranial nerves IX, X, and XI on the right side.
- The patient exhibited gradual development of tongue and trapezius muscle atrophy.
Findings:
- Conservative management with a Philadelphia collar was initiated.
- Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) tube insertion was necessary due to persistent dysphagia.
- Follow-up CT scans at 3 months showed evidence of skull fracture healing.
Implications:
- Despite fracture healing, the patient experienced persistent dysphonia, dysphagia, and muscle atrophy, indicating potential long-term neurological deficits.
- This case underscores the importance of comprehensive neurological and otorhinolaryngological evaluation in managing complex skull base fractures.
- The findings suggest that even with conservative treatment, functional recovery from cranial nerve palsies associated with Collet-Sicard syndrome can be incomplete.
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