Osteoblastoma of C2 vertebrae presented with lymphadenopathy and torticollis: Case report and review of literature

Abstract

Osteoblastoma is a benign primary bone tumor. Previously, osteoblastoma has been reported to be associated with mild surrounding tissue edema. Herein, we report a case of osteoblastoma in a young boy with extensive surrounding edema, presenting as neck pain and torticollis such that he was primarily diagnosed with cervical abscess. Imaging workup and further studies suggested an osteolytic lesion. The patient underwent surgery to resect the lesion. Histopathological examination proved the lesion to be an osteoblastoma. His symptoms resolved on follow-up. The lesson from our case is that although lesions with extensive edema mostly suggest infectious or inflammatory conditions but benign lesions such as osteoblastoma should also be considered in the differential diagnosis.

Keywords

• Osteoblastoma
• Grisel syndrome
• Soft tissue edema