A unique presentation of nontraumatic atlantoaxial instability: a case report.

A unique case of a 3-year-old child who presented with neck pain and torticollis following a streptococcal pharyngitis is described. Radiological evaluation revealed dislocation of the synchondrosis between the odontoid and the body of the axis with resultant atlantoaxial instability. This dislocation healed spontaneously over the course of 2 months without any orthotic or surgical treatment.