Bilateral brain abscesses complicating the use of Crutchfield tongs.
The case of a 4-year-old girl who developed bilateral brain abscesses complicating skull traction is reported. Crutchfield tongs were used to reduce a fracture dislocation at C2-3. Presenting symptoms consisted of headaches and focal seizures. Surgical treatment and antibiotics using serial CT led to a satisfactory outcome. This is the first reported case of this complication in a child. The current literature is reviewed.
D001922:Brain Abscess / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000293:injuries; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D004204:Joint Dislocations / Q000628:therapy; D012886:Skull; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014143:Traction / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000295:instrumentation