[Injuries of the occipital condyles in fatal traffic accidents]

Abstract

Among 600 deaths of traffic accidents we found injuries of the occipital condyles in 10 cyclists, 12 car drivers and 3 pedestrians. In most cases the collision speed ranged from 70 to 100 km/h. In 18 cases of direct head impact the more severe injury was on the opposite side, in 4 cases of indirect side impact (whiplash injury) on the same side. Most types of fractures were 12 horizontal disconnections and 4 fractures of the inner edges. In 9 cases the condyle fractures were on one side, in 16 cases on both sides.