Occult Klippel-Feil syndrome unmasked by cervical spine trauma: A case report and literature review
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.25305/unj.344834Keywords:
Klippel-Feil syndrome, cervical spine injury, cervical canal stenosis, case reportAbstract
Background: Klippel-Feil syndrome is a rare congenital condition characterized by the fusion of two or more cervical vertebrae. Half of the patients present with the triad of short neck, low posterior hairline and limited neck motion. Patients are at increased risk of cervical spine injury due to cervical canal stenosis. The syndrome is often associated with other congenital anomalies.
Case presentation: We report the case of a 60-year-old male who presented with a 6-hour history of neck pain following a rider motorcycle-motor vehicle road traffic crash. Cervical spine X-ray imaging showed fusion of the entire subaxial cervical spine. However, the patient had no neurologic deficit. He was managed non-operatively and discharged with a rigid cervical collar after resolution of neck pain.
Conclusion: This case report highlights an incidental discovery of Klippel-Feil syndrome during evaluation and management of cervical spine injury.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Olukorede Olabanji Adekunle, Nurudeen Abiola Adeleke, Olakunle Michael Adegboye, Oghenevwoke Enaworu, Hakeem Ayinde Yeqeen, Akingbade Adebayo Akin-Dosumu, Gbenga Timothy Oyegbami, Oluwafemi Nehemiah Akeredolu, Nnara Onyeka Stanley
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