Torticollis in an 8-year-old child due to Grisel's syndrome - A case report

Grisel's syndrome is a nontraumatic atlantoaxial subluxation resulting from an ongoing local inflammatory process.

An 8-year-old male presented to the emergency department with neck pain which was sudden in onset without any history of any significant fall or trauma. On physical examination, the patient had torticollis with a head tilt to the left side and the chin rotated to the right. The CT scan confirmed atlantoaxial subluxation with C1 rotated to the right on the odontoid process without anterior displacement. The patient was managed conservatively with antibiotics, anti-inflammatory agents, and head-halter traction.

As Grisel's syndrome can have catastrophic outcomes, early diagnosis and treatment are critical. It must be considered in patients presenting with acute torticollis following an infection or prior surgery.