Case 34-2008: A 58-Year-Old Woman with Neck Pain and Fever

A 58-year-old woman was transferred to this hospital because of severe neck pain, fever, and a spinal epidural mass extending from the level of the fourth to the seventh cervical vertebrae, with evidence of mild cord compression seen on imaging studies. Shortly before transfer to this hospital, a diagnostic test result was received. A 58-year-old woman was transferred to the hospital because of severe neck pain, fever, and a spinal epidural mass, with evidence of mild cord compression seen on imaging studies. Presentation of Case Dr. Mary Pisculli (Infectious Disease): A 58-year-old woman was transferred to this hospital because of severe right-sided neck pain, fever, and abnormal findings on cervical magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Two to 3 weeks before admission, she noted swelling in the right anterior portion of the neck, which she thought was an enlarged lymph node; the swelling was associated with pain in her neck. The pain increased in severity over a period of several days and began to radiate intermittently to the right shoulder. She underwent an acupressure massage, without relief, and the next day tingling developed in . . .