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The coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is caused by a novel coronavirus SARS-Cov-2. Four major vaccine types are being used to fight against this deadly pandemic and save precious human lives. All types of vaccines have been associated with a risk of neurological complications ranging from mild to severe. Cervical dystonia occurring after a COVID-19 vaccine was not previously reported in the literature. In this article, we describe a case of acute cervical dystonia occurring after the first dose of the BNT162b2 COVID-19 vaccine. We attribute the occurrence of cervical dystonia to the vaccine due to the temporal relationship. This report adds to the literature a possible rare side effect of a COVID-19 vaccine and contributes to the limited literature on potential neurological side effects of mRNA-based vaccines. The likely mechanism is autoimmune. Further research is needed to probe and study the exact mechanism., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Objective: The potential significance of relationship of atlantoaxial instability with retro-odontoid pseudotumor, pannus, and/or cyst (RPC) is analyzed., Methods: We searched the database of patients with craniovertebral junction-related instability treated by atlantoaxial fixation from January 2000 to March 2020. We identified 63 patients in whom there was an RPC in the region posterior to the odontoid process or posterior to the posterior aspect of the C2 body., Results: The RPC was solid in 10 patients, predominantly cystic in 39 patients, and had both solid and cystic components in 14 patients. The vertical dimension of the RPC varied from 4.5 to 10.5 mm (average, 7.9 mm) and the transverse dimension ranged from 2 to 5.2 mm (average, 3.4 mm). In 51 patients, the RPC was in the midline and in 9 patients, it was eccentric in location. In 38 patients, there was erosion of the C2 body adjoining the RPC. Analysis of investigations showed that in 100% of patients, the dome of the RPC was in line with the most susceptible point of potential bone compression of neural structures. The RPC was eccentric in location in 9 patients presenting with torticollis. RPC indicated the presence of atlantoaxial instability even when there were no other positive and validated radiologic indicators. After atlantoaxial stabilization, the RPC spontaneously regressed or disappeared. Direct resection of the RPC was neither performed nor was necessary in any case., Conclusions: RPCs are secondary consequences of atlantoaxial instability and need not be primarily addressed by surgical resection. Their location suggests that they might have a neural protective function., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Nontraumatic atlantoaxial subluxation, also known as Grisel syndrome, is a rare disease that usually affects children. The typical presentation is torticollis in patients with a history of surgical operations or airway infections., Methods: We describe 5 patients with Grisel syndrome, referring to medical care for a torticollis, a few weeks after an airway infection, with no trauma associated. Radiologic confirmation of the diagnosis, with computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging studies, was carried out., Results: The patients were treated with external immobilization for 3 months, followed by surgical fixation in the case of recurrence after collar removal or inveterate subluxation. We performed a review of the literature to define the best management of this disease., Conclusions: Management of Grisel syndrome depends on the degree of subluxation basing on the Fielding and Hawkins classification. The initial nonsurgical management consists of close reduction and immobilization. Surgical fixation is indicated in cases of conservative treatment failure., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The computed tomography (CT) and MRI findings of infantile tumoral calcinosis and the utility of image-guided biopsy are demonstrated. A 5-month old presented with torticollis and a calcified cervical spinal mass. The radiologic appearance suggested a malignant neoplasm, prompting CT-guided biopsy, which diagnosed tumoral calcinosis. We hope to increase awareness of this entity and describe image-guided biopsy as a way to avoid morbidity associated with open biopsy., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Grisel syndrome is a nontraumatic rotatory subluxation of the atlantoaxial joint, following nasopharyngeal inflammation or ear, nose, and throat (ENT) procedures. The syndrome should be suspected in cases of persistent neck pain and stiffness, especially after ENT surgical procedures. The primary treatment of early detected Grisel syndrome is conservative. If conservative treatment fails to achieve a stable reduction or it is followed by neurologic symptoms, arthrodesis of the first and second cervical vertebrae is indicated. We report the case of a 9-year-old boy who developed Grisel syndrome after adenoidectomy and was treated with C1-C3 internal fixation and fusion., Case Description: A 9-year-old boy was referred to our hospital with a 3-month history of painful torticollis, which appeared 4 days after adenoidectomy. The patient underwent a neuroimaging study that documented the presence of atlantoaxial rotatory subluxation. The patient underwent C1-C3 internal fixation and fusion, using lateral masses and laminar and pars interarticularis screws. On the third postoperative day he was mobilized with a rigid collar. Postoperative computed tomography scans showed the resolution of rotational deformity and a solid fusion., Conclusion: Early treatment of Grisel syndrome is of utmost importance to avoid neurologic complications and surgical intervention. In a patient with torticollis following ENT procedures, Grisel syndrome should be always suspected. In case of failure of conservative treatment or in case of delayed diagnosis, rigid C1-C2 or C1-C2-C3 fixation is a straightforward and valid surgical technique, even in children, because it provides immediate spinal stability in all planes at the atlantoaxial complex, avoiding the need for prolonged rigid external bracing., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: To determine spread of primary late-onset focal dystonia at a long-term follow up study., Methods: Available patients not lost to follow up from the initial cohort were reexamined to access course and spread of dystonia. In this prolonged follow-up (13.71 ± 5.6 years), it was possible to contact and include 66 out of 132 consecutive patients (50%) who had been diagnosed as primary focal dystonia at the Clinic of Neurology (Belgrade) from January 1990 to January 2000., Results: Recalculation after inclusion of the new data for 66 patients revealed that the latency from the disease onset to dystonia spreading to the first new region was 4.9 ± 4.9 years, and to the second region 5.9 ± 8.8 years. An average time to disease progression was 12.39 ± 1.58, 6.34 ± 1.55 and 15.95 ± 1.43 for patients with torticollis, blepharospasm, and those with hand dystonia, respectively. The spread of dystonia in patients with the initial blepharospasm was faster, while patients with the writer's cramp could expect further progression even after longer periods of time. Older age at onset (p = 0.061), family history (p = 0.028) and the presence of tremor in the region affected by dystonia (p = 0.047) were the most powerful predictors of disease spreading. The majority of spreading events occurred during the first years of the disease and they appeared to be rare in later period., Conclusions: These findings may be valuable for prognostic information on the disorder., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Classical Lemierre syndrome is a rare and severe disease with thrombosis of the internal jugular vein and metastatic infections. We report on a case of Lemierre-like syndrome secondary to mastoiditis, with a favorable outcome, in a healthy infant presenting with torticollis. Early diagnosis and treatment with antibiotics are necessary to decrease mortality., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

Objective: This study aimed to identify specific findings related to acute post-traumatic atlanto-axial rotatory subluxation in pediatric patients., Methods: We studied 14 children with acute atlanto-axial rotatory subluxations after a craniocervical injury admitted to a hospital during a 6-year period. Clinical and radiologic findings were reviewed to identify new findings related to atlanto-axial rotatory subluxation., Results: Most patients exhibited a typical picture of atlanto-axial rotatory subluxation, but 1 child also experienced transient blindness that was related to peculiar anatomic findings on neuroradiologic images. A characteristic C2-C3 anterior pseudosubluxation was detected among the radiographic signs. Magnetic resonance imaging showed no clear break in the alar ligaments, which were oriented horizontally. However, unlike the case in adult anatomy, in these children, the alar ligaments were laterally attached at the occipital condyle-axis condylar joints. In all children, atlanto-axial rotatory subluxation spontaneously reduced within a few hours after short bed rest without halter traction but with a cervical collar. No recurrence was observed during follow-up., Conclusions: Acute post-traumatic atlanto-axial rotatory subluxation in pediatric-aged patients is a rapidly resolving disease of the craniocervical junction. The disease appears to be related to an elasticity of the contralateral alar ligament, which is attached to the occipital condyle-axis condylar joint. Neurological symptoms (blindness) occurred in 1 patient when the vertebrobasilar blood flow was impaired and no compensation was provided from the anterior circulation. Use of a cervical collar and short bed rest without halter traction is recommended, based on our observations of complete recovery and no recurrence after the use of this treatment strategy., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Deformational plagiocephaly (DP) and torticollis are commonly seen in infants and they often co-occur, but little is known of the prevalence and relationship of these conditions in the immediate newborn period. No previous studies focusing on the relationship between cranial shape and cervical motion in newborns can be found., Objectives: Determining the incidence rates and characteristics of DP and torticollis and examining the relationship between cervical range of motion (ROM), cranial size and cranial shape in neonates., Methods: A single-center, descriptive cross-sectional study including 155 healthy neonates was conducted. Participants were examined during their birth hospitalization. Oblique Cranial Length Ratio (OCLR) and Cephalic Index (CI), indicating cranial asymmetry and shape, were measured from standardized digital photographs with a computer-based cephalometric method. Cervical ROM was measured with goniometry., Results: 7.7% of the newborns had DP and 3.9% had torticollis. 46.4% presented lesser cervical imbalances. DP was associated with gestational diabetes (adjusted OR 5.6; p<0.01) and vacuum assisted delivery (adjusted OR 6.8; p<0.01), but not at all with torticollis. CI correlated strongly with cervical ROM in all directions, while no definite association between cranial asymmetry and cervical motion could be found., Conclusions: DP and torticollis are common and minor cervical imbalances very common in normal newborns. Our results support the theory that in most cases neither DP nor torticollis is congenital, but rather develops and worsens synergistically in early infancy. Still, although no direct association between DP and torticollis was found, cranial shape is linked to cervical motion at birth., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

A 45-year-old woman was referred to our service because 9 months earlier she had developed a pulsating mass on the right supraclavicular fossa and torticollis. Ultrasounds and computed tomographic arteriography showed the presence of a subclavian collateral artery aneurysm with a diameter of 21 mm. On selective arteriography, an aneurysm of a suprascapular artery arising directly from the right subclavian artery was reported. The presence of thoracic outlet syndrome was excluded. The aneurysm was successfully treated with ethylene-vinyl alcohol polymer, a liquid embolic agent. The patient was discharged on postoperative day 1 in good general condition. After 12 months, control ultrasounds confirmed the complete thrombosis of the aneurysm sac., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: To investigate the incidence of retrocollis and to determine its clinical correlates in patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease (PD)., Methods: Seventy-four patients with PD at Hoehn and Yahr stage 5 were examined for abnormal neck postures and were classified according to neck posture. Differences in age, age at PD onset, disease duration, years from PD onset to Hoehn and Yahr stage 5, cognitive state, the levodopa equivalent dose (LED) for dopaminergic drugs, and rigidity of the neck and upper and lower extremities were examined to determine the clinical correlates of abnormal neck posture. We also evaluated retrocollis in 356 patients with PD at Hoehn and Yahr stage 1, 2, 3, and 4 and 65 age matched normal controls., Results: Of the 74 patients with PD at Hoehn and Yahr stage 5 examined, 21 (28.4%) had retrocollis, 3 (4.1%) had antecollis, and 1 (1.4%) had antecollis and torticollis. Whereas, only one patient had retrocollis in PD patients at Hoehn and Yahr stage 4 and under. Patients with antecollis were significantly younger than those with normal neck posture and retrocollis. There were no differences in age at PD onset, disease duration, sex, years from PD motor symptom onset to Hoehn and Yahr stage 5, cognitive state, or LED between patients with and without abnormal neck postures. Neck rigidity scores were significantly higher in patients with retrocollis and antecollis than in those with normal neck posture., Conclusions: Retrocollis is not rare in patients with PD at Hoehn and Yahr stage 5, and the incidence appeared to increase as axial rigidity increased., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Bradykinesia and hypokinesia are the prominent symptoms of substantia nigra degeneration in Parkinson's disease (PD). In segmental dystonia, movements of not affected limbs are not impaired. Here we studied the impact of the mere implantation of stimulation electrodes on the performance of fast movements in these two groups. We investigated 9 PD patients with subthalamic electrodes and 9 patients with segmental dystonia with electrodes in the globus pallidus internum. Patients were studied on the first postoperative day without electrical stimulation of the electrodes. Subjects had to perform boxing movements with either touching the target or stopping the fist in front of the target. PD subjects performed significantly faster movements in the touch-task only as compared to dystonic patients. No difference was seen in the stopping task. In conclusion, our findings suggest that a small subthalamic lesion in individuals with PD specifically reverses bradykinesia during simple ballistic movements (touch) but not during complex ones requiring more pre-programming (no-touch paradigm)., (Copyright © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

The atloid-axoid rotatory slipped disc is a rare pathology with still uncertain etiology. Many situations can be factors of this disease. We report a case in a child who was admitted to the hospital for a stiff neck that had been evolving for 1 month. The clinical examination found an irreducible angular deformity of the neck and multiple cervical adenopathies. The ORL examination was normal, the biological tests showed no disorders, and the X-ray examinations were also normal. Unexpected admission features were also disconcerting. The child suddenly presented a stiff neck on waking 2 days after a traditional circumcision at home, which might have been traumatizing. The mother also reported fever a few days before, attributed to rhinopharyngitis. Before his referral to the Rabat Children's Hospital, the child had received an anti-inflammatory treatment without any improvement. He had also been considered to have an opisthotonos on admission and was treated for suspected tetanus. Finally, the rotatory dislocation of C1-C2 was suggested, and a cervico-occipital junction scanner with three-dimensional reconstructions confirmed the diagnosis. The child was treated with cranial traction with good progression. This case opens the discussion of this rare disease, often unrecognized, which requires a multidisciplinary approach., (Copyright © 2011. Published by Elsevier SAS.)

Kawasaki disease is a form of idiopathic systemic vasculitis. Diagnosis is based upon specific clinical parameters. Cardiac manifestations explain the mortality rate. They can be reduced by early treatment using intravenous immunoglobulin. Atypical Kawasaki disease is difficult to diagnose and can delay diagnosis. We report a case of Kawasaki disease with arthritis in a 4-year-old girl whose initial presentation was a febrile torticollis. A literature review details the atypical early signs of Kawasaki disease revealed by torticollis.

Torticollis is an abnormal head posture. Clinical presentation includes ipsilateral tilt and controlateral rotation, and translation. Aetiologies are various including muscular entities, traumatic, inflammatory, infectious, tumour and non-muscular entities ocular, ORL or digestive. Majorities are minor and generally, a complete physical examination is sufficient to eliminate serious entities. Concretely, it is important to separate acute and chronic form. Traumatic torticollis justifies a systematic standard radiograph and then 15 days after dynamic evaluation. Septic torticollis evokes otolaryngological infection or spondylodiscitis. Chronic torticollis is congenital, postural or malformative. In case of recurrent form or torticollis with neurological abnormalities, TDM or RMI are necessary to eliminate tumoral diseases.

Introduction: The term plagiocephaly, from the Greek plagios (oblique) and kephalê (head), means distortion of the head, and refers clinically to cranial asymmetry. Cranial Osteopathy, since it was first proposed, has focussed upon the diagnosis and treatment of birth trauma and cranial asymmetries, and consequently specific therapy for plagiocephalic deformities has been described. Osteopathic manipulation also has been proposed as a treatment for torticollis, a condition associated with plagiocephaly. For these reasons, we decided to look at the mechanics of the occipital bone and the adjacent atlas and bones of the cranial base, in relation to functional plagiocephaly., Methods: The records of 649 children seen in an osteopathic practice in Lyon, France, were reviewed retrospectively, in compliance with the legal requirements of the Commission Nationale de l'Informatique et des Libertés (CRIL) and the Helsinki accord, for gender, age at presentation, birth history, obstetrical data (breech presentation, vacuum extraction, forceps delivery or Caesarean section), presenting complaint, side of posterior plagiocephaly, side of frontal plagiocephaly, torticollis, motion pattern of the occipital bone upon the atlas, and motion pattern of the spheno-occipital synchondrosis., Results: We found significant correlations between plagiocephaly (right/left) and primipara (P=0.024), use of forceps (P=0.055) and extractor suction (P=0.055). Correlations were also found between flattening of the occiput (right/left) and lateral strain of the spheno-occipital synchondrosis (P=0.002) and between plagiocephaly (right/left) and occipito-atlantal motion (P=0.000)., Conclusion: We found a significant correlation between the lateral strain pattern of the spheno-occipital synchondrosis and plagiocephaly and between rotational dysfunction of the occiput upon the atlas and the side of posterior plagiocephaly. We suggest that thorough neonatal osteopathic examination can identify individuals predisposed to develop posterior plagiocephaly.

Unlabelled: Langerhans cell histiocytose is a rare condition in childhood. It presents in different ways ranging from a single bony disease to a multisystemic disease involving vital organs., Case Report: We report a case of single bone involvement revealed by torticollis in an eight-year-old boy. The diagnosis was evocated on radiological findings and confirmed by histologic aspects. After a period of 2,5 years, this child is in total spontaneous remission., Conclusion: Torticollis must be explored and watched. Eosinophilic granuloma can be a rare aetiology in children. The outcome is often favorable.

Grisel's syndrome is a rare condition of uncertain etiology characterized by a non-traumatic atlanto-axial subluxation, secondary to an infection in the head and neck region. The authors discuss the history, pathogenesis, terminology, classification, clinical characteristics, diagnosis, treatment, prognosis and prevention of this syndrome.

We report a case of cervical dystonia mimicking dropped-head syndrome (DHS) in a 57-year-old man treated for laryngeal carcinoma by radiotherapy (74.4 Gy) 3 months before. Cervical computerized tomographic scan and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) did not find any muscle fat changes but found a high-intensity signal on T2 weighted images in the cervical spinal cord. Clinical and electromyographic findings were consistent with cervical dystonia. A trapezius biopsy was normal. Spontaneous remission of the dystonia was observed for 1 month whereas the laryngeal carcinoma progressed. The link between cervical dystonia and radiotherapy might be acute radiation-induced damage to the cervical spinal cord.

Odontoid dysplasias are considered rare but are becoming increasingly recognized. Patients may have no symptoms, localized neck pain, or neurologic symptoms. Because patients with odontoid anomalies have the potential for craniovertebral instability, recognition of the entity is essential. A discussion of the axis, its development and anomalies follows., (Copyright 2003 Elsevier Science Inc.)

Benign paroxysmal torticollis is an episodic functional disorder of unknown etiology that occurs in the early months of life in healthy individuals. The child's head tilts to one side for a few hours or days, usually without any associated symptoms. The disorder, which disappears within the first few years of life, is often misinterpreted and the patient pointlessly undergoes numerous tests. We present our series of 22 patients observed at the pediatric neurology outpatients clinic in Padova with a view to refreshing the pediatrician's memory on this frequent, benign pathology.

This is an example of the influence that modern pain science can have on medico-legal reporting. The report has been reproduced with minor changes. These changes have been made so as to protect the identities of those involved and to assist the reader.

Abnormal cervical muscle function can cause abnormal head posture, adversely affecting the development and morphology of the cervical spine and maxillofacial skeleton, which in turn leads to facial asymmetry and occlusal abnormality. There can be morphologic abnormalities of the mandibular fossa, condyle, ramus, and disk accompanying the imbalance of the cervical and masticatory muscles activities. Two normally growing Japanese female patients with Class II Division 1 malocclusion presented with TMJ symptoms and poor head posture as a result of abnormal sternocleidomastoid and trapezius cervical muscle activities. One patient underwent tenotomy of the two heads of the sternocleidomastoid muscle and the other patient did not. In addition to orthodontics, the 2 patients received physiotherapy of the cervical muscles during treatment. Both were treated with a functional appliance as a first step, followed by full multi-bracketed treatment to establish a stable form of occlusion and to improve facial esthetics with no head gear. This interdisciplinary treatment approach resulted in normalization of stomatognathic function, elimination of TMJ symptoms, and improvement of facial esthetics. In the growing patients, the significant response of the fossa, condyle, and ramus on the affected side during and after occlusal correction contributed to the improvement of cervical muscle activity. Based on the result, early occlusal improvement, combined with orthopedic surgery of the neck muscles or physiotherapy to achieve muscular balance of the neck and masticatory muscles, was found to be effective. Two patients illustrate the potential for promoting symmetric formation of the TMJ structures and normal jaw function, with favorable effects on posttreatment growth of the entire maxillofacial skeleton.

A 29-year old male with an 8-month history of spasmodic torticollis was treated after three baseline assessments with progressive relaxation, positive practice, and visual feedback. Subjective, behavioral, and physiological (EMG) data indicated that EMG declined across baseline assessments and treatment, while substantial changes in subjective and behavioral data occurred with treatment. Improvement on all dependent measures also was found at a 2-year follow-up. The data are discussed in terms of the non-specific effects of treatment, and the utility and economy of these primarily self-administered procedures.

Desmoid tumors are rare nonencapsulated benign lesions that invade the musculoaponeurotic tissues of the body. Such tumors infiltrate insidiously, and attempts to remove them frequently fail, usually leaving residual tumor. The use of adjuvant radiotherapy to decrease the recurrence rate in partially resected extra-abdominal desmoids has been reported by several authors. The role of irradiation in the management of desmoid tumors is illustrated in a case that combined surgery, intraoperative radiotherapy, and postoperative external beam radiotherapy in the management of this lesion.

Light and electron microscopical observation of the neck muscles of ducks with torticollis are reported. Degeneration, inflammatory reaction, fatty infiltration and some regeneration were seen. The pathological features resemble those of human torticollis. This animal model provides an opportunity for further study of the disease of man.

Atlantoaxial rotatory subluxation often presents in childhood as a stiff, painful neck with associated torticollis. It can occur spontaneously following minor trauma or an inflammatory process in the cervical tissues. Failure to recognise the condition may result in a fixed rotatory subluxation which can be difficult to treat. The authors report on two cases of atlantoaxial rotatory subluxation which occurred following pharyngoplasty and discuss the clinical presentation and management of these cases. The literature on this subject is briefly reviewed.

Four pedigrees, each with two or more cases of congenital superior oblique palsy among immediate family members, are presented. Except for a single case report in 1926, this disorder has not been known to occur in a hereditary manner. Theories of pathogenesis of congenital fourth cranial nerve palsy are discussed, with special reference to the hereditary occurrence of this disorder. Analogy is drawn between the familial forms of congenital superior oblique palsy and Duane's syndrome.

Two cases of Grisel's syndrome are described to demonstrate that early recognition of this condition allows effective conservative treatment. To explain the good response to early conservative treatment, a combination of hypotheses is proposed.

Atlanto-axial rotatory fixation is a rare but important cause of persistent torticollis. The diagnosis is confirmed by careful radiological examination of the atlanto-axial joint, also employing tomography if necessary. Treatment is skull traction in an attempt to improve the position followed by posterior atlanto-axial fusion to prevent further, and potentially disastrous, displacement. Atlanto-axial dislocation or subluxation should be looked for in all cases of acute torticollis, when reduction by traction will most likely be successful and prevent the development of atlanto-axial rotatory fixation and the associated persistent torticollis.

A 76-year-old man is reported with advanced progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) who developed a persistent, gradually progressive torticollis over a period of several months. Blepharospasm and dysfluency of the extrapyramidal type antedated the torticollis. This first report of torticollis in PSP reinforces previous notions that torticollis is related to pathologic changes in the striatum and brainstem. In addition, the combination of torticollis and blepharospasm in our patient supports the previous concept that these two "focal dystonias" have a common pathophysiologic mechanism. This also suggests that dysfluency in PSP may be an expression of a focal dystonia involving the muscles of articulation.

Spasmodic torticollis, once thought to be psychogenic, is now recognized as an extrapyramidal movement disorder. A patient with onset of classical torticollis after closed head injury and intracranial hypertension is described. The patient had no clinical or radiologic evidence of brain stem dysfunction, but brain stem auditory evoked potentials suggested pontomesencephalic conduction disturbance ipsilateral to head and neck movements. This finding accords with some previous clinical and experimental evidence that pontomesencephalic structures ipsilateral to the movements may be involved in torticollis. The observation suggests that spasmodic torticollis may develop as a sequel to trauma in head-injured patients and should be differentiated from posttraumatic seizures.