Retropharyngeal abscess causing grisel’s syndrome secondary to tuberculosis of cervical spine, a rare form of torticollis: case report

Abstract

<p>Grisel’s syndrome is a rare type of non-traumatic subluxation of an atlantoaxial joint characterized by torticollis, neck pain, and reduced neck movement. The common causes of Grisel’s syndrome are head and neck infection or post-otorhinolaryngology (ORL) procedures. We are reporting a case of a 3-year-old boy with a gradual worsening of neck stiffness, neck pain, and restricted neck movement for more than one month. The patient had no history of trauma. The computerized tomographic (CT) showed a retropharyngeal abscess with a bony erosion causing atlantoaxial subluxation. The management and progress of this patient are discussed. The objective of this case report is to emphasize that Grisel’s syndrome should be considered a differential in a painful torticollis to prompt an early diagnosis and treatment to prevent serious neurological complications.</p>

Challenges in Grisel's Syndrome Management in a Two-Month-Old Infant

“…Fielding’s type III and type IV subluxations are more likely to be associated with neurological deficits. Thus, more invasive approaches such as halo immobilization, arthrodesis, and C1-C2 cervical fusion might be deployed [ 9 , 16 ]. Nonetheless, all these techniques might not apply to each case, and thus, patients should be individually managed.…”