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Differential Diagnoses for Unilateral Cervical Neck Pain Radiating to Shoulder and Down Arm with Tingling in Fingers

Single Most Likely Diagnosis

  • Cervical Radiculopathy: This condition is the most likely diagnosis due to the radiation of pain from the neck down to the arm and fingers, accompanied by tingling. It occurs when a nerve root in the cervical spine is irritated or compressed, leading to symptoms that match those described.

Other Likely Diagnoses

  • Cervical Spondylosis: A common condition involving wear and tear on the discs in the neck, which can lead to pain and stiffness in the neck, radiating pain to the shoulder and arm, and potentially tingling in the fingers if nerve roots are compressed.
  • Thoracic Outlet Syndrome: This condition involves compression, injury, or irritation of the nerves and/or blood vessels (arteries and veins) in the thoracic outlet area, which can cause pain in the neck and shoulder, and tingling in the fingers.
  • Brachial Plexus Injury: An injury to the brachial plexus, a network of nerves that conducts signals from the spinal cord to the shoulder, arm, and hand, can cause pain, numbness, tingling, and weakness in the arm and hand.

Do Not Miss Diagnoses

  • Cervical Spinal Cord Compression: A serious condition that requires immediate medical attention, characterized by compression of the spinal cord in the neck, which can lead to severe neurological deficits, including paralysis, if not promptly treated.
  • Stroke or Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA): Although less common, neck pain can be a symptom of a stroke or TIA, especially if accompanied by other neurological deficits such as weakness, numbness, vision changes, or difficulty with speech.
  • Infections (e.g., Abscess, Osteomyelitis): Infections in the cervical spine can cause severe pain and neurological symptoms, including radiating pain and tingling, and require urgent medical attention.

Rare Diagnoses

  • Pancoast Tumor: A rare type of lung cancer located at the top of the lung that can invade the brachial plexus and cervical spine, causing shoulder and arm pain, and tingling in the fingers.
  • Multiple Sclerosis: An autoimmune disease that affects the brain and spinal cord, which can cause a wide range of neurological symptoms, including pain, numbness, and tingling, although it is less commonly associated with unilateral neck pain radiating to the arm.
  • Arteriovenous Malformation (AVM): A rare condition characterized by an abnormal connection between arteries and veins, which can occur in the spinal cord and cause neurological symptoms, including pain and tingling.

Professional Medical Disclaimer

This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.

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