Cervical osteoid osteoma: a cause of chronic upper back pain

A case of an osteoid osteoma occurring in the cervical spine and presenting as scapular and arm pain has been described. Correct diagnosis was delayed for 2 years. Plain radiographs may fail to demonstrate a lesion in the spine. Radiographic evaluation, when osteoid osteoma is a possibility, should include bone scanning. If the bone scan is abnormal, tomography of the area is indicated. If the diagnosis is still unclear, selective angiography may reveal the tumor blush typical of osteoid osteoma. In certain instances, a myelogram may be helpful to establish whether there is encroachment on the spinal canal or nerve root.