Background: Grisel's syndrome is rare in adults, and is characterized by nontraumatic atlanto-axial subluxation secondary to infection. Here, we report a case of Grisel's syndrome occurring after endoscopic nasopharyngectomy.
Methods: A 67-year-old man complained of fever and neck pain with reduced lateral rotation after an endoscopic nasopharyngectomy for recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Flexion and extension X-rays of the cervical spine demonstrated atlanto-axial subluxation, and magnetic resonance imaging showed infective changes with cervical osteomyelitis. A diagnosis of Grisel's syndrome with cervical spine osteomyelitis was made. A later computed tomography (CT) scan demonstrated subluxation of C1 on C2, as well as the occipital-C1 joint.
Results: The patient was treated with intravenous antibiotics and offered surgery for spinal stabilization, but declined. He remained well 15 months post-op on a cervical collar with minimal pain and no neurologic deficits.
Conclusion: A high index of suspicion for Grisel's syndrome is suggested in patients who have neck pain with reduced range of motion postnasopharyngectomy, and imaging is useful in clinching the diagnosis.
Level of evidence: 4.
Keywords: Grisel's syndrome; Nasopharyngeal carcinoma; atlanto‐axial subluxation; cervical osteomyelitis; nasopharyngectomy.
© 2019 The Authors. Laryngoscope Investigative Otolaryngology published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of The Triological Society.