Neck Pain Associated With a Bony Metastatic Tumor

A 78-year-old man was referred to physical therapy with a 5-month history of nontraumatic neck pain and reductions in active bilateral rotation without radiculopathy. Radiography and computed tomography taken 2 months prior demonstrated age-related multilevel degenerative disc disease. Following physical therapy with no improvement in symptoms, magnetic resonance imaging with contrast and bone scintigraphy were ordered by the physician. An expansile lesion in the right lateral mass of the atlas on magnetic resonance imaging was consistent with a metastatic activity. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2017;47(7):509. doi:10.2519/jospt.2017.6135.

The Journal of orthopaedic and sports physical therapy. 2017 Jul [Epub]

Maria Alice Mainenti Pagnez, Leandro Calazans Nogueira, James M Elliott