title: A man in the barrel with neck pain.
abstract: A 38-year-old man presented with an abrupt onset of occipital and neck pain, radiating to both shoulders. The pain was accompanied by inability to lift his arms against gravity (the "man-in-the-barrel" syndrome). These symptoms were associated with bilateral hand paresthesias, right-sided throbbing headache, vertigo, nausea, and vomiting. All symptoms resolved within 30 minutes, but arm weakness recurred. The differential diagnosis and historical origins of the "man-in-the-barrel" syndrome are reviewed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA.
authors.forename: Farrah
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Mateen
authors.forename: Alex
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rajput
authors.forename: Cory
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Toth
authors.forename: Derek
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Fladeland
authors.forename: Eelco F M
authors.initials: EF
authors.lastname: Wijdicks
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001132:Arm / Q000294:innervation / Q000503:physiopathology*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D003955:Diagnostic Tests, Routine; D016489:Head Injuries, Closed / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008881:Migraine Disorders / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology; D018908:Muscle Weakness / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D019547:Neck Pain / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D009460:Neurologic Examination; D010292:Paresthesia / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology