Atlantoaxial subluxation in an adult secondary to retropharyngeal abscess

Atlantoaxial subluxation secondary to a retropharyngeal abscess is well described in children, but very rare in adults. Only two adult cases have been reported in the literature. We present a case of severe atlantoaxial subluxation in an adult secondary to retropharyngeal abscess. His atlas-dens int...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Auris, nasus, larynx nasus, larynx, 2001-04, Vol.28 (2), p.177-179
Main Authors: Morita, Takeshi, Fujiki, Nobuya, Shiomi, Yosaku, Kurata, Kyosuke, Oda, Naoharu
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adults
Atlanto-Axial Joint - diagnostic imaging
Atlantoaxial subluxation
Humans
Joint Dislocations - diagnostic imaging
Joint Dislocations - etiology
Joint Dislocations - surgery
Male
Middle Aged
Retropharyngeal abscess
Retropharyngeal Abscess - complications
Retropharyngeal Abscess - diagnostic imaging
Spinal Fusion
Tomography, X-Ray Computed
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Description
Summary:Atlantoaxial subluxation secondary to a retropharyngeal abscess is well described in children, but very rare in adults. Only two adult cases have been reported in the literature. We present a case of severe atlantoaxial subluxation in an adult secondary to retropharyngeal abscess. His atlas-dens interval was very large, up to 10 mm in flexion. We tried external fixation with a neck collar initially, but for remaining instability, surgical fusion was performed. The mechanism of subluxation is attributed to softening of the ligament allowing greater mobility at the joint. The etiology of this process is speculative.
ISSN:0385-8146
1879-1476
DOI:10.1016/S0385-8146(00)00101-2