Conclusion
The diagnosis of septic arthritis of the atlantoaxial joint should be considered in a patient with inflammatory neck pain and paravertebral muscle contracture. We highlight the importance of MRI findings in making the diagnosis of a septic atlanto-odontoid joint.
We suggest that the conservative treatment including antibiotic and neck immobilization are sufficient for the treatment of septic arthritis of the atlantoaxial joint. Cerebral vein thrombosis is a rare complication due to septic arthritis of the atlantoaxial joint.