Surgical Treatment of Grisel Syndrome: A Pediatric Case Report and Review of the Literature

Abstract

Spontaneous subluxation of the atlantoaxial joint secondary to inflammatory head and neck conditions is defined as Grisel syndrome, and is usually seen in children. The primary treatment is conservative. Delayed diagnosis and treatment can result in a painful and persistent cervical deformity, and may require surgical treatment. In this report, the case of a 14-year-old patient who presented with spontaneous atlantoaxial rotatory subluxation after adenotonsillectomy is described. When no reduction was obtained with conservative treatment, surgical intervention was performed.

Keywords

• grisel syndrome
• pediatric
• surgical intervention.