Abstract
Objective Few cases of cervical schwannoma have been reported following head trauma. The present case, involves a schwannoma of the C2 spinal nerve mimicking post-concussion symptoms following a sport-related concussion (SRC). Design Case study. Setting University of Calgary, Sport Medicine Clinic, Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Results We report a 28 year old, athlete who developed headache, dizziness, photophobia, and neck pain following a cycling accident. She presented nine months later to our sports clinic with persistent symptoms. She had a normal neurological examination but complained of painful neck range of motion, and exacerbation of symptoms with neck extension. On palpation, a lump was found in the right suboccipital muscles and MRI showed a T2 hyperintense mass at the C1-2 level. The patient underwent resection and histology revealed a schwannoma of the C2 nerve root. Following resection her symptoms improved, with no recurrence at 2 months follow up. Conclusion Our patient's slow recovery following SRC is consistent with a schwannoma formation, which may have been precipitated by the injury itself or merely unmasked from trauma. This case illustrates the importance of a thorough physical examination and broad differential in patients presenting with worsening of symptoms after initial improvement in SRC.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 84-88 |
| Number of pages | 5 |
| Journal | Physical Therapy in Sport |
| Volume | 25 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - May 1 2017 |
| Externally published | Yes |
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Keywords
- Mild traumatic brain injury
- Neck pain
- Post concussion syndrome
- Schwannoma
- Sport-related concussion
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Orthopedics and Sports Medicine
- Physical Therapy, Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation
Cite this
The importance of a neck exam in sport-related concussion : Cervical schwannoma in post concussion syndrome. / Langelier, David M.; Schneider, Kathryn J.; Hurlbert, John; Debert, Chantel T.
In: Physical Therapy in Sport, Vol. 25, 01.05.2017, p. 84-88.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - The importance of a neck exam in sport-related concussion
T2 - Cervical schwannoma in post concussion syndrome
AU - Langelier, David M.
AU - Schneider, Kathryn J.
AU - Hurlbert, John
AU - Debert, Chantel T.
PY - 2017/5/1
Y1 - 2017/5/1
N2 - Objective Few cases of cervical schwannoma have been reported following head trauma. The present case, involves a schwannoma of the C2 spinal nerve mimicking post-concussion symptoms following a sport-related concussion (SRC). Design Case study. Setting University of Calgary, Sport Medicine Clinic, Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Results We report a 28 year old, athlete who developed headache, dizziness, photophobia, and neck pain following a cycling accident. She presented nine months later to our sports clinic with persistent symptoms. She had a normal neurological examination but complained of painful neck range of motion, and exacerbation of symptoms with neck extension. On palpation, a lump was found in the right suboccipital muscles and MRI showed a T2 hyperintense mass at the C1-2 level. The patient underwent resection and histology revealed a schwannoma of the C2 nerve root. Following resection her symptoms improved, with no recurrence at 2 months follow up. Conclusion Our patient's slow recovery following SRC is consistent with a schwannoma formation, which may have been precipitated by the injury itself or merely unmasked from trauma. This case illustrates the importance of a thorough physical examination and broad differential in patients presenting with worsening of symptoms after initial improvement in SRC.
AB - Objective Few cases of cervical schwannoma have been reported following head trauma. The present case, involves a schwannoma of the C2 spinal nerve mimicking post-concussion symptoms following a sport-related concussion (SRC). Design Case study. Setting University of Calgary, Sport Medicine Clinic, Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Results We report a 28 year old, athlete who developed headache, dizziness, photophobia, and neck pain following a cycling accident. She presented nine months later to our sports clinic with persistent symptoms. She had a normal neurological examination but complained of painful neck range of motion, and exacerbation of symptoms with neck extension. On palpation, a lump was found in the right suboccipital muscles and MRI showed a T2 hyperintense mass at the C1-2 level. The patient underwent resection and histology revealed a schwannoma of the C2 nerve root. Following resection her symptoms improved, with no recurrence at 2 months follow up. Conclusion Our patient's slow recovery following SRC is consistent with a schwannoma formation, which may have been precipitated by the injury itself or merely unmasked from trauma. This case illustrates the importance of a thorough physical examination and broad differential in patients presenting with worsening of symptoms after initial improvement in SRC.
KW - Mild traumatic brain injury
KW - Neck pain
KW - Post concussion syndrome
KW - Schwannoma
KW - Sport-related concussion
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85014077749&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=85014077749&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.ptsp.2017.01.003
DO - 10.1016/j.ptsp.2017.01.003
M3 - Article
C2 - 28262355
AN - SCOPUS:85014077749
VL - 25
SP - 84
EP - 88
JO - Physical Therapy in Sport
JF - Physical Therapy in Sport
SN - 1873-1600
ER -