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

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.

References

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Published

2021-04-23

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Section

Case Reports