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Grisel syndrome as a complication of Kawasaki disease: a case report and review of the literature

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Abstract

Grisel syndrome is a non-traumatic atlantoaxial subluxation and a rare complication of any inflammatory condition of the upper neck and otolaryngological procedures. Delayed diagnosis causes neurological impairment, ranging from radiculopathy to paralysis and death. Kawasaki disease is a very frequent and important acute febrile vasculitis of childhood that is seen worldwide, and upper neck involvement (cervical lymphadenopathy) is one of the common symptoms of Kawasaki disease. A case of Grisel syndrome that occurred as a complication of Kawasaki disease is reported. This is the first case report, in English, of Grisel syndrome as a complication of Kawasaki disease. Conclusion: Pediatricians should be aware of Grisel syndrome as a possible complication of Kawasaki disease.

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Conflict of interest

All authors declare no conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatrics, Shiga Medical Center for Children, 5-7-30 Moriyama, Moriyama, Shiga, 524-0022, Japan

    Fumihito Nozaki, Takashi Kusunoki, Ikuko Hiejima, Anri Hayashi, Tomohiro Kumada, Tomoko Miyajima & Tatsuya Fujii

  2. Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Shiga Medical Center for Children, Moriyama, Shiga, Japan

    Yoshihide Tomoda & Tohru Futami

Authors
  1. Fumihito Nozaki
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  2. Takashi Kusunoki
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  3. Yoshihide Tomoda
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  4. Ikuko Hiejima
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  5. Anri Hayashi
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  6. Tomohiro Kumada
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  7. Tomoko Miyajima
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  8. Tohru Futami
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  9. Tatsuya Fujii
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Correspondence to Fumihito Nozaki.

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Nozaki, F., Kusunoki, T., Tomoda, Y. et al. Grisel syndrome as a complication of Kawasaki disease: a case report and review of the literature. Eur J Pediatr 172, 119–121 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00431-012-1858-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00431-012-1858-6

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