A Pain in the Neck — A Case of Intramedullary Spinal Ependymoma

Abstract

Spinal cord tumors are sporadic and account for around 2%-4% of central nervous system neoplasms. Ependymoma is one of the most common spinal cord neoplasms and can present with different neurological signs and symptoms. They commonly present with neck or back pain and associated neurological involvement, with sensory symptoms usually antedating the motor symptoms. We now present a rare case of spinal ependymoma in a 26-year-old female who presented with isolated neck pain and the absence of other neurological symptoms. Attention to peculiar characteristics like isolated neck pain might be an essential key to early diagnosis and better prognosis.