Traumatic atlanto-occipital dislocation presenting with Dysphagia as the chief complaint: a case report

We report a patient with traumatic atlanto-occipital dislocation who presented with dysphagia as the chief complaint. A 59-year-old man complained of swallowing difficulty for 2 months after trauma to the neck. On physical examination, there was atrophy of the right sternocleidomastoid and upper tra...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Annals of rehabilitation medicine 2013, 37(3), , pp.438-442
Main Authors: Choi, Eun Hye, Jun, Ah Young, Choi, Eun Hi, Shin, Ka Young, Cho, Ah Ra
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Case Report
재활의학
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Summary:We report a patient with traumatic atlanto-occipital dislocation who presented with dysphagia as the chief complaint. A 59-year-old man complained of swallowing difficulty for 2 months after trauma to the neck. On physical examination, there was atrophy of the right sternocleidomastoid and upper trapezius muscles, and the tongue was deviated to the right. In a videofluoroscopic swallowing study, penetration and aspiration were not seen, food residue remained in the right vallecula and pyriform sinus, and there was decreased motion of the soft palate, pharynx and larynx. Electromyography confirmed a right spinal accessory nerve lesion. Magnetic resonance imaging confirmed atlanto-occipital dislocation. Dysphagia in atlanto-occipital dislocation is induced by medullary compression and lower cranial nerve injury. Therefore, in survivors who are diagnosed with atlanto-occipital dislocation, any neurological symptoms should be carefully evaluated.
ISSN:2234-0645
2234-0653
DOI:10.5535/arm.2013.37.3.438