Healed untreated anterior cervical spine dislocation. A case report.

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Traumatology
• Spinal Medicine

Background:

• Cervical spine fractures and dislocations are typically diagnosed promptly due to their severity.
• Undiagnosed and untreated injuries can lead to significant morbidity, including neurological deficits.

Observation:

• A unique case of a bilateral facet dislocation with anterior displacement of the cervical spine is reported.
• This severe injury was initially undiagnosed and remained untreated.

Findings:

• The patient experienced spontaneous healing of the cervical spine fracture-dislocation.
• Remarkably, the healing occurred without any resulting neurological sequelae or deficits.
• This represents a previously undocumented instance of such an injury resolving favorably without intervention.

Implications:

• This case challenges the conventional understanding of the prognosis for undiagnosed cervical spine injuries.
• It suggests a potential for spontaneous, favorable healing in specific types of cervical facet dislocations.
• Further investigation into the mechanisms of spontaneous healing in spinal trauma may be warranted.