Retro-odontoid pseudotumor with uncommon presentation of cervical spine injury

Retro-odontoid pseudotumor is a condition where abnormal tissue grows around the odontoid process, leading to compression of the spinal cord at the base of the skull and upper neck. This case report describes an elderly man who experienced sudden neck pain and sensory disturbances (dysesthesia) after a fall, which was found to be caused by a retro-odontoid pseudotumor. Unlike typical cases, he had no motor weakness. The patient's condition was managed without surgery, focusing on pain control, and he was later transferred to a rehabilitation hospital.

• 1
  The patient presented with C2–C3 dysesthesia as the primary symptom after a fall, an uncommon presentation for retro-odontoid pseudotumor.
• 2
  Imaging revealed cervical spinal cord compression due to a soft tissue mass posterior to the odontoid process, confirming the diagnosis of retro-odontoid pseudotumor.
• 3
  The patient had pre-existing cervical osteophyte formation, and his long-term occupation as a wood craftsman may have contributed to the development of the pseudotumor.