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

Reegina Sivarajan; Mohammad Fuaz Mahfuz; Siti Hajar Sanudin

doi:10.18203/issn.2454-5929.ijohns20211584

Authors

Reegina Sivarajan Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Hospital Keningau, Sabah, Malaysia
Mohammad Fuaz Mahfuz Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Hospital Keningau, Sabah, Malaysia
Siti Hajar Sanudin Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Sabah, Malaysia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/issn.2454-5929.ijohns20211584

Keywords:

Grisel’s syndrome, Atlantoaxial subluxation, Retropharyngeal abscess, Tuberculosis

Abstract

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.

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