Traumatic spondylolisthesis of the axis in a patient presenting with torticollis. A case report

In a 34-year-old man with an acute traumatic spondylolisthesis (ATS) of the axis, the presenting physical sign was severe torticollis associated with reactive spasm of the right sternomastoid muscle. Computed axial tomography (CAT) was useful both in assessing the nature of ATS (which involved more displacement of the axis fracture and adjacent soft-tissues on the right side of the neck) and in ascertaining reduction, realignment, and healing. The reduction was sustained by halo-vest immobilization.