Acquired Toticollis: A Case Report
Acquired Toticollis: A Case Report
For the final project in the Introductory Seminar, Procedural Anatomy, students were required to present a case-report of an illness of the head, neck or spine, explaining the underlying anatomical mechanism of the disorder. Emily’s presentation explained the condition known as Acquired Torticollis, in which the subluxation of two vertebra in the spine causes an individual to present with an unorthodox “cock-robin” position of the head. The presentation centered on the hypothetical case of a 5-old-boy whose undiagnosed upper respiratory infection led to inflammation around the first two vertebra of the cervical spine, and resulted in the abnormal positioning of the head. Emily’s presentation utilized various CT and MRI scans, as well as modern medical imaging software to illustrate the disorder and explain the trajectory of the boy’s illness.
Emily is a sophomore looking to major in Human Biology with a concentration in neurobiology and immunology. Emily is the co-president of Stanford Amnesty International and an active member of STAND, a student led organization that raises awareness about genocide and mass atrocity. She is also leading an Alternative Spring Break trip focused on International Human Rights Advocacy that will be traveling to Washington D.C. in the spring. Emily plans to pursue a career in medicine and hopes to one day become a neurosurgeon and travel the world serving those with inadequate access to health care. Originally from Denver, Colorado, Emily loves hiking, biking, running, fishing and anything that involves the outdoors.
