Turki Al-Driweesh1, Fatemah Altheyab2, Mazyad Alenezi3, Sultan Alanazy4, Turki Aldrees5. 1. Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, College of Medicine, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Alkharj, 11942, Saudi Arabia. Electronic address: t.aladriweesh@psau.edu.sa. 2. Resident, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, King Saud Hospital, Unayzah, AlQassim, Saudi Arabia. 3. Consultant Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Assistant Professor, Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Department, College of Medicine, Qassim University, Buriyadh, Qassim, Saudi Arabia. 4. Assistant Professor of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Surgery, Unaizah College of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Qassim University, Saudi Arabia. 5. Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, College of Medicine, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Alkharj, 11942, Saudi Arabia.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To increase awareness and the index of suspicion regarding Grisel's syndrome among otolaryngologists after otolaryngology procedures. METHOD: We conducted a search of MEDLINE/PubMed for articles published through January 2020 utilizing the following terms: Grisel's syndrome, Grisel syndrome, and atlantoaxial subluxation alone and in combination with other terms like ENT, otolaryngology, head & neck, tonsillectomy, adenoidectomy, adenotonsillectomy, mastoidectomy, tympanoplasty, and tympanomastoidectomy. We included English-language cases that occurred after surgical procedures and contained the following data: age, onset, common presenting symptoms, diagnostic approach, management options, and the presence of complications. RESULT: We found 39 papers that met our criteria. Most cases occurred after adenotonsillectomy with or without ventilation tube insertion (55.6%). The majority of the affected population was the pediatric age group, and the main presenting symptom was torticollis that presents as early-onset. In regard to management, most of the cases were treated with medical therapy with or without adjunctive measures (e.g., a cervical collar). No neurological complications were recorded except in one case that was treated with no long term sequel. CONCLUSION: Grisel's syndrome is a rare complication that occurs after otolaryngology procedures and can result in serious neurological complications and death. A high index of suspicion is an important factor for early diagnosis and management to prevent such complications. In most cases, conservative management is successful with a good prognosis.
OBJECTIVE: To increase awareness and the index of suspicion regarding Grisel's syndrome among otolaryngologists after otolaryngology procedures. METHOD: We conducted a search of MEDLINE/PubMed for articles published through January 2020 utilizing the following terms: Grisel's syndrome, Grisel syndrome, and atlantoaxial subluxation alone and in combination with other terms like ENT, otolaryngology, head & neck, tonsillectomy, adenoidectomy, adenotonsillectomy, mastoidectomy, tympanoplasty, and tympanomastoidectomy. We included English-language cases that occurred after surgical procedures and contained the following data: age, onset, common presenting symptoms, diagnostic approach, management options, and the presence of complications. RESULT: We found 39 papers that met our criteria. Most cases occurred after adenotonsillectomy with or without ventilation tube insertion (55.6%). The majority of the affected population was the pediatric age group, and the main presenting symptom was torticollis that presents as early-onset. In regard to management, most of the cases were treated with medical therapy with or without adjunctive measures (e.g., a cervical collar). No neurological complications were recorded except in one case that was treated with no long term sequel. CONCLUSION:Grisel's syndrome is a rare complication that occurs after otolaryngology procedures and can result in serious neurological complications and death. A high index of suspicion is an important factor for early diagnosis and management to prevent such complications. In most cases, conservative management is successful with a good prognosis.