Rotational head trauma with callosal contusion and C6 fracture: a high-speed motorcycle accident

We present the case of a 34 years old Albanian male, who fell from the motorcycle during a high-speed accident, after performing a triple pivotal-round circle in air at the site of the impact, before falling on the ground. The clinical picture thereafter was one of a deep coma, treated in the intensive care unit for nine days, till the patient regained conscience and long-term rehabilitation procedures were put in place. The magnetic resonance and computed tomography images were very illustrative of a rotational head trauma mechanism, since apart from multiple callosal hemorrhages and the lack of cranial fractures, a linear complex fracture of the C6 was seen as well, justifying orthopedic treatment through immobilization of the cervical spine. Rotational angular acceleration seems to be an important causative factor toward provoking diffuse brain and/or axonal injury; the etiological importance on the direct skull impact is controversial, but anyhow not negligible.