[Whiplash injuries with objective findings. Delayed diagnosis of fractures of the odontoid process]

Whiplash traumas are often looked upon as accidents that cause extensive symptomatology without the presence of objective findings. This article describes two patients who suffered a whiplash trauma where a serious pathological condition, in both cases a fracture of dens axis, was revealed after a long delay. The correct diagnosis was probably delayed by the belief that, despite florid symptoms, no objective signs are observed as a rule in cases of whiplash trauma. The author stresses the importance of assessing patients (also those with whiplash traumas) individually.