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[A rare cause of febrile cervical pain]

Zeineb Alaya1, Walid Osman2, Houneida Zaghouani3

  • 1Service de Rhumatologie, CHU Farhat Hached, Sousse, Tunisie.

The Pan African Medical Journal
|March 3, 2017
PubMed

Insights

Crowned dens syndrome (CDS) is a rare cause of febrile cervical pain that can mimic meningitis or spondylodiscitis. Prompt diagnosis and treatment with NSAIDs led to a favorable outcome in this case.

Area of Science:

  • Rheumatology
  • Orthopedics
  • Neurology

Background:

  • Febrile cervical pain typically suggests serious conditions like meningitis or spondylodiscitis.
  • Microcrystalline arthropathy is an uncommon cause of such symptoms.

Observation:

  • An 81-year-old man presented with febrile cervical pain and neck stiffness.
  • Initial investigations considered meningitis and spondylodiscitis.
  • Spinal MRI revealed abnormalities in the atlanto-axial articulation.

Findings:

  • Computed Tomography (CT) scans confirmed peri-odontoid calcifications, diagnosing crowned dens syndrome (CDS).
  • The patient experienced a favorable response to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

Implications:

  • Crowned dens syndrome (CDS) is an underdiagnosed condition that can present with prolonged fever.
  • Recognizing CDS is crucial as it can mimic various other disorders.
  • Early diagnosis and NSAID treatment are effective for managing CDS.
Keywords:
Cervical paincervical CT-scancrowned dens syndromefever

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