Brain Tumor Mimicking Cervical Spinal Disease: A Case Report

ABSTRACT

STUDY DESIGN: Case report. OBJECTIVES: To report a case of cerebellar tumor mimicking cervical spinal disease with neck pain for one year. SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW Neck pain is one of the most common symptoms of cervical spinal disease. Neck pain in the cervical spine is usually accompanied by radiculopathic or myelopathic symptoms. Pain aggravated with neck motion is another point of differentiation. However, the differential diagnosis of neck pain is not always easy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A 47-year-old woman presented with neck pain, without other symptoms of radiculopathy or myelopathy. The neck pain was not position-dependent and had exacerbated 1 week previously. Cervical magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a brain tumor in the cerebellum. RESULTS: The patient underwent surgical craniotomy and tumor resection. The neck pain improved after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: If neck pain cannot be explained by cervical pathological conditions, the possibility of other causes, including brain pathology, should be considered.