| We read with great interest the comprehensive review paper
of Osiro et al. presenting Grisel's syndrome [1]. Apart from
the introduction of this rare syndrome, the authors discussed
recent developments on the pathogenesis of the syndrome
along with treatment options. In the introduction, Sir
Charles Bell (1774–1842 CE) was introduced as the first
to explain nontraumatic atlantoaxial subluxation due to
pharyngitis which ultimately led to death of the patient from
spinal cord compression [1, 2]. Grisel's syndrome was
named after Pierre Grisel (1869–1959 CE), a French surgeon
who described the syndrome characterized by dislocation
of the C1–C2 joint mostly in patients with pharyngitis
and torticollis [1, 3]. Based on the historical evidence, we
believe that the syndrome was known to the Greek and
Persian physicians much earlier than thought. Among the
ancient Greek scholars, Aëtius of Amida (fifth–sixth century
of the Common Era) seems to be the first to indicate
the association between inflammation of the vertebrae
caused by retropharyngeal abscess and vertebral luxation
in his section on diphtheria [4]. The syndrome was later
described by Rhazes (865–925 CE) in his Kitab al-Hawi
(Liber Continens) quoting from Hippocrates' Of The
Epidemics |