Isolated neck extensor myopathy causing a dropped head: a case report

J Orthop Surg (Hong Kong). 2011 Apr;19(1):104-7. doi: 10.1177/230949901101900124.

Abstract

This report is of a 71-year-old woman who presented with a dropped head and difficulty in extending her neck. She was diagnosed with isolated neck extensor myopathy. Conservative treatment (use of a cervical collar and muscular strength training) temporarily improved her symptoms. However, destruction of cervical vertebrae and myelopathy progressed secondary to repeated microfractures from mechanical stress. The patient underwent 2-stage combined anterior and posterior decompression and fusion using autografts. At one-year follow-up, numbness of the bilateral upper limbs had resolved, and bone union was achieved. The patient was able to look straight ahead and was very satisfied with the outcome.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Biopsy, Needle
  • Bone Transplantation / methods
  • Cervical Vertebrae / surgery
  • Decompression, Surgical / methods*
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Electromyography
  • Female
  • Fibula / transplantation
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Head Movements*
  • Humans
  • Ilium / transplantation
  • Joint Instability / complications*
  • Joint Instability / diagnosis
  • Joint Instability / physiopathology
  • Kyphosis / complications*
  • Kyphosis / diagnosis
  • Kyphosis / surgery
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Muscle Weakness / diagnosis
  • Muscle Weakness / etiology*
  • Muscle Weakness / surgery
  • Neck Muscles / physiopathology*
  • Spinal Fusion / methods*
  • Thoracic Vertebrae / surgery
  • Transplantation, Autologous