[Craniocervical dissociation].

BACKGROUND

Craniocervical dissociation (CCD) is a rare but potentially fatal injury resulting from high-energy trauma. Rapid recognition and appropriate management are essential to reduce mortality and long-term complications.

CASE PRESENTATION: A woman in her fifties was hit by a bus while using a pedestrian crossing. She experienced transient loss of consciousness and presented with severe neck and thoracic pain. CT revealed a left occipital condyle avulsion fracture, atlanto-occipital dislocation and atlantoaxial widening (Traynelis type II injury). MRI showed prevertebral soft tissue swelling and alar ligament disruption without spinal cord compression or signal changes. The patient underwent urgent posterior occipitocervical fusion (C0-C4) with an occipital plate, C2 pedicle screws, C3-C4 lateral mass screws and bilateral rods with a crosslink. Postoperative imaging showed a good reduction.

INTERPRETATION: This case highlights the importance of early imaging in identifying unstable craniocervical injuries and demonstrates that prompt surgical treatment can lead to favourable functional outcomes, despite the severity of the trauma.