Surgical Management of Adult Traumatic Atlantoaxial Rotatory Subluxation with Unilateral Locked Facet; Case Report and Literature Review

Abstract

Atlantoaxial rotatory subluxation (AARS) is rarely occurred in adults with trauma as the most common cause. In type A and B it is usually managed with close reduction and external brace; however, in nonresponsive cases, surgical interventions might be needed. Our patient is a 21-year-old man with neck pain and torticollis after a car turn- over. There was C1-C2 rotatory subluxation with left side locked facet and C1 rotation about 40 degrees relative to C2 on computed tomography without evident of ligamentous injury in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). However, during the first 48 hours, two tries of close reduction using Gardner cervical traction under fluoroscopy were failed. Thus, the patient underwent open reduction of the subluxation and atlantoaxial fixation (Harm's technique) with subsequent relief of pain and torticollis. This a rare case of traumatic AARS type A with unilateral locked facet joint in an adult patient which needed surgical manipulation for reduction. The management of the AARS in adults should be individualized in each patient.