Metastases to the craniovertebral junction: illustrative case report and review of literature

Authors

  • Chandramouleeswaran Venkatraman Institute of Neurology, Madras Medical College, Chennai, Tamilnadu, India
  • Sindhuja Lakshminarasimhan Institute of Neurology, Madras Medical College, Chennai, Tamilnadu, India
  • Pratheep Kumar S. Institute of Neurology, Madras Medical College, Chennai, Tamilnadu, India
  • Krishnaprasad Thuvarapalayam Periasamy Institute of Neurology, Madras Medical College, Chennai, Tamilnadu, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2320-6012.ijrms20181787

Keywords:

Craniovertebral junction, Quadriparesis, Metastases

Abstract

Metastases at the craniovertebral junction represent 0.5-1% of spinal metastatic lesions. Common primary sites include breast, lung and prostate carcinoma. Initial presenting features include neck pain and occipital neuralgia. High index of suspicion is required to recognize this entity in patients presenting with neck pain. If left unrecognized, these metastatic lesions have the propensity to cause catastrophic collapse leading to significant morbidity and mortality due to fracture subluxation and spinal cord compression. Here we discuss such a patient who presented with acute onset quadriparesis and lower cranial nerve palsies due to metastatic lesion involving the C1 and C2 vertebra causing medullary and cervical cord compression. Early detection and timely intervention are key to improving outcomes in such patients.

References

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Published

2018-04-25

How to Cite

Venkatraman, C., Lakshminarasimhan, S., Kumar S., P., & Thuvarapalayam Periasamy, K. (2018). Metastases to the craniovertebral junction: illustrative case report and review of literature. International Journal of Research in Medical Sciences, 6(5), 1825–1827. https://doi.org/10.18203/2320-6012.ijrms20181787

Issue

Section

Case Reports