title: Traumatic bilateral atlantoaxial rotatory subluxation mimicking as torticollis in an adult female.
abstract: Rotatory subluxation of the atlantoaxial joint in adults is a rare, but potentially life-threatening injury. Delayed or missed diagnosis can lead to catastrophic consequences. Early recognition and prompt treatment is paramount to avoid long-term morbidity and disability. We report on an instance of bilateral atlantoaxial rotatory subluxation (AARS) in a 25-year-old female who presented to the Casualty Department with a painful neck, right-sided hemiparesis and torticollis after a road traffic collision. Reduction was achieved by controlled cervical traction followed by immobilization in a four-post Halo brace, with complete resolution of her symptoms. At the 12-month follow-up, she had normal neck movements with no signs of instability.
authors.affiliation: Department of Trauma, Orthopaedics and Spinal Surgery, Luton & Dunstable Hospital NHS Trust, Luton, UK.
authors.forename: V K
authors.initials: VK
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.forename: P K
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.forename: S K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Balakrishnan
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Leitao
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001268:Atlanto-Axial Joint / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods; D004204:Joint Dislocations / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods; D014103:Torticollis / Q000175:diagnosis*