Headache due to an osteochondroma of the axis.
We reported a case of a 42-year-old man with a 3-year history of headache due to a spinal osteochondroma. Repeated neurological evaluation, including EEG studies and CT of the cerebrum, revealed no pathology. More recently the patient presented with persistent headache and a slight limitation of neck motion. MRI studies of the cerebrum including the cervical spine showed a high cervical extradural tumor. Additional CT angiography showed a bony tumor suspected of being a spinal osteochondroma. An en bloc resection of the tumor was performed; histological evaluation confirmed the diagnosis. Immediately after intervention, all symptoms disappeared. In most patients with a spinal osteochondroma, the lesion causes no symptoms, or symptoms are aspecific. Therefore, there is often a significant delay between initial complaints and the diagnosis, as in the current case.
Kouwenhoven
J W M
JW
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Vrije Universiteit Medical Center, P.O. Box 7057, 1007 MB, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Wuisman
P I J M
PI
Ploegmakers
J F
JF
D000328:Adult; D001368:Axis, Cervical Vertebra / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D001859:Bone Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D019299:Decompression, Surgical; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004388:Dura Mater / Q000293:injuries; D005096:Exostoses / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D006261:Headache / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007796:Laminectomy; D008297:Male; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; D015831:Osteochondroma / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D011379:Prognosis; D013115:Spinal Canal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D013117:Spinal Cord Compression / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome