Myelopathy as a Presentation of Cervical Spine Metastasis: A Case Report

Cervical myelopathy is a consequence of spinal cord compression in the cervical spine. Degenerative cervical spondylosis, osteophytes, discosteophyte complex, degenerative spondylolisthesis and hypertrophy of ligamentum flavum are the main etiologies of cervical myelopathy. Metastasis to cervical spine could be a rare cause of cervical myelopathy. The present study is a case report; presented a 36-year-old male with severe pain in cervical region, gait disability and impairment in sensory and motor function of upper left extremity. The patient had a history of thyroidectomy and cervical lymph node dissection due to follicular thyroid carcinoma (FTC) with improper follow-ups. He was diagnosed with metastatic cervical myelopathy and underwent surgical treatment. Cervical myelopathy due to metastasis is a rare condition and only few cases have been reported so far. So myelopathies can be a complication of metastatic cancers, and it should be considered by health professionals.