Isolated atlantoaxial subluxation as the presenting manifestation of inflammatory bowel disease

A previously healthy 21-year-old black woman is described in whom erosive cervical spine disease with C1-C2 subluxation spontaneously developed. Various investigations led to the discovery of Crohn's disease, a heretofore unreported association. Thus, clinically silent or undiagnosed inflammatory bowel disease should be considered in the cause of atlantoaxial subluxation.