title: Occipital condyle fractures.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The anatomy, clinical presentation, radiologic evaluation, treatment, and outcome of occipital condyle fractures are reviewed.
  
  
  METHODS
  We review and discuss the literature on occipital condyle fractures.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Occipital condyle fractures are best diagnosed with computed tomography. The neurologic presentation is variable. The majority of these injuries may be treated nonoperatively, but an occipitocervical fusion is necessary to restore stability across the craniovertebral junction.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Occipital condyle fractures are a rare but serious injury that requires prompt diagnosis and treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, The University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, Iowa, USA.
authors.forename: Youssef R
authors.initials: YR
authors.lastname: Karam
authors.forename: Vincent C
authors.initials: VC
authors.lastname: Traynelis
mesh_terms: D001269:Atlanto-Occipital Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000293:injuries* / Q000473:pathology; D001915:Braces / Q000592:standards; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D016267:External Fixators / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D007593:Joint Instability / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D008022:Ligaments / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries / Q000473:pathology; D009777:Occipital Bone / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000293:injuries* / Q000473:pathology; D020205:Skull Fracture, Basilar / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed