[Fixed atlanto-axial rotational dislocation--a rare cause of torticollis in the child].

Two patients aged 2 and 13 years old are presented, both of whom had torticollis caused by atlanto-axial rotatory subluxation. The correct diagnosis was delayed for 3 months as a result of inappropriate radiologic evaluation. In each patient increased atlanto-dental distance, anterolisthesis of the atlas, and malrotation of the atlas relative to the axis were found on a simple lateral projection. Treatment, consisting in reduction under anaesthesia and plaster fixation for 8 weeks, was successful in the smaller child, whereas redislocation occurred in the other patient. It is imperative to exclude by early radiological examination skeletal abnormality in the presence of persisting acquired torticollis in children.