Atlantoaxial rotatory fixation in childhood: a staged management strategy incorporating manipulation under anaesthesia

Pediatric cervical spine instability: evolving concepts

The pediatric cervical spine is structurally and biomechanically unique in comparison to adults. Guidelines to assess for cervical spine instability and standard of care treatments in the pediatric population have yet to be delineated. This is due to the rarity of the condition and the lack of multicenter data published on the topic. Our review explores the biomechanics of the pediatric cervical spine and highlights evolving concepts/research over the last several decades, with special attention to the Down syndrome and complex Chiari malformation cohorts.

Grisel's Syndrome After COVID-19 in a Pediatric Patient: A Case Report

An eight-year-old female presenting with posterior neck pain and torticollis who had been diagnosed with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) three weeks earlier was radiographed and diagnosed with atlantoaxial rotatory fixation (AARF). Following treatment with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), the posterior neck pain improved, and the torticollis was cured. Symptoms returned after two weeks, and computed tomography showed a 3.94 mm atlantodental interval and axis rotation. The patient was diagnosed with AARF relapse; symptoms resolved spontaneously prior to subsequent examination, and no further relapses were observed. This case highlights the need for clinicians to be aware that AARF may develop after COVID-19. Treatment options should be carefully considered.

Halo Traction Followed by Halo Vest Immobilization for the Treatment of Chronic Atlantoaxial Rotatory Fixation: A Case Report and Tips for Avoiding Complications in Pediatric Patients

CASE

A 4-year-old girl sustained a traumatic atlantoaxial rotatory subluxation. She presented at the treating facility 8 months after injury with cervical deformity, neck pain, gait instability, and decreased cervical motion. Her delay in presentation was partially because of international Corona Virus of 2019 (COVID-19) travel restrictions. The case was successfully treated with halo traction, followed by halo vest immobilization.

CONCLUSION

Chronic atlantoaxial rotatory fixation can be treated nonsurgically with closed reduction and halo traction, but is associated with operative risks. Optimal pin placement is challenging in the pediatric skull and may be improved with a preoperative or intraoperative computed tomography (CT) scan.

Atlantoaxial rotatory dislocation: Surgical treatment in a pediatric patient cohort

•Surgical correction of AARD is an appropriate method of treatment after failed non-operative therapy.•The technique of surgical reduction and C1-C2 fixation using Harms/Goel technique provides excellent clinical outcomes.•In case of traumatic AARD we recommend to consider temporary fixation.

Torticollis in childhood-a practical guide for initial assessment

Torticollis is encountered often in the paediatric setting and should be considered a presenting symptom, rather than a diagnosis. Aetiologies of torticollis are numerous, and the nomenclature describing underlying diagnosis can be confusing. Furthermore, children with torticollis typically present in the first instance to primary or secondary care rather than to the subspecialist. These factors can contribute to erroneous treatment of this patient-group which could be time critical in some instances. In this review, we discuss the common causes for torticollis and propose a simple clinical assessment tool and early management scheme that will assist in the differential-diagnosis and treatment pathway of this challenging condition.Conclusion: Torticollis can be the initial presentation of various conditions. The diagnosis and management tools provided in this article can aid in guiding paediatricians as to the correct initial management, imaging, and specialist referral. What is Known: • Torticollis in childhood is a very common presenting symptom with numerous aetiologies. • Management is complex, requires multiple clinical and imaging examinations, and is usually performed by non-specialized professionals. What is New: • A new, simple clinical-assessment tool under the acronym PINCH designed to aid paediatric general practitioners in diagnosing correctly the aetiology of torticollis. • A practical management scheme to aid in the treatment pathway of children with torticollis.

Halter Traction for the Treatment of Atlantoaxial Rotatory Fixation

BACKGROUND

Atlantoaxial rotatory fixation (AARF) comprises a spectrum of abnormal rotational relationships between C1 (atlas) and C2 (axis). We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and long-term clinical outcomes of halter traction in treating patients diagnosed with primary AARF.

METHODS

We included patients <18 years of age who presented with new-onset painful torticollis, neck pain, and sternocleidomastoid muscle spasm, had an AARF diagnosis confirmed by use of 3-dimensional dynamic computed tomography, received in-hospital cervical halter traction under our treatment protocol, and were followed for ≥12 months. Radiographic and long-term clinical outcomes were analyzed.

RESULTS

A total of 43 patients (31 male and 12 female; average age of 7.9 years) satisfied the inclusion criteria. There were 5 acute, 6 subacute, and 32 chronic cases. The mean duration of initial symptoms prior to treatment was 12.1 weeks. Thirty-seven (86.0%) of the patients experienced previous minor trauma, and 6 (14.0%) had a recent history of upper-respiratory infection (Grisel syndrome). The mean duration of in-hospital traction was 17.6 days. The mean follow-up period was 8.5 years. Forty-two (97.7%) of the patients achieved normal cervical alignment after treatment. One patient (2.3%) had recurrence and received a second course of halter traction, with cervical alignment restored without any surgical intervention. No neurological deficits were noted during or after the treatment. No major complications were observed.

CONCLUSIONS

Normal anatomy and restoration of cervical alignment can be achieved by cervical halter traction in most cases of AARF.

LEVELS OF EVIDENCE

Therapeutic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

A Rare Case of Nontraumatic Atlantoaxial Rotatory Fixation in an Adult Patient Treated by a Closed Reduction: A Case Report

CASE

A 42-year-old woman presented with a severe neck pain and torticollis due to uncertain etiology. Because her radiographs and computed tomography revealed atlantoaxial rotatory fixation (AARF) that is an extremely rare condition in the adult population, a nonsurgical treatment was initially applied. Because 3 weeks of indirect traction failed, closed reduction was performed under general anesthesia at 2 months after onset, and her symptoms markedly improved without any complications and recurrence.

CONCLUSION

Closed reduction under general anesthesia for nontraumatic AARF in adult patients might be an effective treatment option, even for chronic cases or intractable cases by traction treatment.