Asian spine journal
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Asian spine journal · Mar 2012
Myelopathy and Quadriparesis due to Spinal Cord Compression of C1 Laminar Osteochondroma.
The aim of this paper is to show that osteochondromas of the cervical vertebrae can cause myelopathy and neck pain. The reported etiology, diagnosis, treatment and differential diagnosis were reviewed. Osteochondromas may present as a solitary lesion with no genetic component or as multiple lesions as a part of a genetic disorder known as hereditary multiple exostosis. ⋯ Although unusual, osteochondromas of the cervical spine must be considered in patients with persistent neck pain and progressive symptoms of myelopathy. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging in conjunction with plain radiograms is the neuroradiological modality of choice. The diagnosis and surgical excision of these tumors are important because they can cause spinal stenosis resulting in neural tissue compression and myelopathy.