post-traumatic cervical spondyloptosis without neurological deficits: a case report

Background and importance: traumatic cervical spondyloptosis is a rare and severe situation,i.e., associated with disabling neurological deficits.case presentation: we described an unusual clinical presentation of cervical spondyloptosisin a 49-year-old man without neurological impairment and severe neck pain. moreover, c6-c7 spondyloptosis was assessed two days after the trauma. x-rays, computed tomography(ct) scans and magnetic resonance imaging (mri) demonstrated a c6 bi-pedicular fracture,c6-c7 facet dislocation with complete ptosis of c6 vertebral body over c7 and without spinalcord injury. the patient was managed with an intra-operative 4 kg traction and underwenta posterior decompression, with reduced fracture/dislocation by bilateral completedfacetectomies at c6, and fusion from c4 to t3.conclusion: this case report emphasized that sometimes cervical spondyloptosis may occurwithout neurological deficit symptoms. prompt clinical recognition and surgical removal areessential to prevent serious complications in this respect.