Grisel syndrome refers to subluxation of the cervical spine at the atlantoaxial joint due to a pain-induced protective posture secondary to inflammation in the ear, nose, and throat region.
Clinical presentation
Grisel syndrome comprises the following symptom complex[^1]:
Severe neck pain
Torticollis
Lateral displacement of the Atlas with Subluxation
Etiology
Grisel syndrome may occur post-traumatically, in the context of rheumatic diseases, following soft-tissue inflammation in the nasopharyngeal region such as tonsillitis, and also after surgery such as tonsillectomy.
Imaging
Because of the soft-tissue structures involved, MRI is the imaging modality of choice when Grisel syndrome is suspected.