PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Cameron Kia
AU  - Scott Mallozzi
AU  - Isaac Moss
TI  - Chronic Atlantoaxial Rotatory Subluxation in an Adult Following a Traumatic Event: A Case Report
AID  - 10.14444/7064
DP  - 2020 Jul 01
TA  - International Journal of Spine Surgery
PG  - 7064
4099  - http://ijssurgery.com//content/early/2020/07/27/7064.short
4100  - http://ijssurgery.com//content/early/2020/07/27/7064.full
AB  - Background Traumatic rotatory subluxation of the atlantoaxial joint is a rare but potentially life-threatening injury in adults. While acute cases have been shown to be managed successfully with closed reduction, chronic injuries in skeletally mature patients have rarely been reported.Methods We present management of a 64-year-old female who presents 2.5 years after a traumatic cervical injury with neck pain and torticollis. Imaging revealed rotatory subluxation of C1–C2 without cord impingement. A focused appraisal of the reported literature was also performed.Results Successful reduction was achieved with halo cervical traction, followed by definitive treatment with atlantoaxial arthrodesis.Conclusions Cases of fixed, chronic C1–C2 rotatory subluxation after traumatic etiology may be amenable to closed reduction with skeletal traction and fusion.Level of Evidence 4.Clinical Relevance Chronic, post-traumatic atlantoaxial rotatory subluxation in the adult population is extremely rare, without a well-described treatment algorithm. The purpose of this case report is to highlight the reduction and fixation of someone with this injury.