Occipital condyle fracture: an unusual airbag injury.
The installation of airbags in motor vehicles, in association with the use of seat belts, has reduced the incidence of head injuries, as well as significantly decreasing morbidity and mortality in motor vehicle accidents. Nevertheless, the literature on the subject increasingly refers to lesions related to airbag deployment. These are usually minor, but in certain circumstances, severe and fatal injuries can result. This is a case report of serious injury due to airbag deployment, involving a restrained driver who suffered occipital condylar injury when his airbag deployed in a frontal collision. The range of airbag associated injuries is reported and predisposing factors, such as the probable proximity to the airbag housing, is discussed.
Zaglia
Elisabetta
E
Division of Legal Medicine, Department of Medicine and Public Health, University of Verona, Policlinico G Rossi, p le L Scuro n 10, Verona, Italy. elisabettazaglia@yahoo.it
De Leo
Domenico
D
Lanzara
Guido
G
Urbani
Urbano
U
Dolci
Marco
M
D000063:Accidents, Traffic; D017278:Air Bags / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008337:Mandibular Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009917:Orbital Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed