A Case of Atlanto-Axial Rotatory Fixation(AARF) after Herpes Zoster.

Abstract

Atlanto-AxialRotatory Fixation (AARF) would occur with many causes including minor trauma to the neck and infection and so on. We experienced a case of AARF which developed in course of the treatment of Herpes Zoster. A 12 years old girl was transfered our Pain Clinic because she complained neck pain and torticollis associated with severe moving pain two weeks after the development of Herpes Zoster in the left C2 region. The etiologic factor of AARF in this patient could be refractory fixation and minor trauma associated with HZ-induced pain and infiltration caused by HZ virus. The patient responded very well to nerve block therapy including cervical epidural block and rehabilitation, AARF resolved with in a month. Since the early diagnosis and therapy of this disorder is important especially in young patient, we should be aware that patient with HZ of cervical region may develope AARF due to pain and refractory fixation and infiltration of HZ virus itself.