Bilateral brain abscesses complicating the use of crutchfield tongs

The case of a 4-year-old girl who developed bilateral brain abscesses complicating skull traction is reported. Crutchfield tongs were used to reduce a fracture dislocation at C2–3. Presenting symptoms consisted of headaches and focal seizures. Surgical treatment and antibiotics using serial CT led to a satisfactory outcome. This is the first reported case of this complication in a child. The current literature is reviewed.To whom offprint requests should be addressed at Avda. Pio Baroja 4, 30011 Murcia, Spain