Differential Diagnosis for Neck Pain in a 13-year-old Male
Single most likely diagnosis
- Muscle strain: The patient's symptoms of neck pain after stretching and turning his head, along with hearing a pop, are consistent with a muscle strain. This is a common injury in adolescents, especially after sudden or unusual movements.
Other Likely diagnoses
- Cervical facet joint sprain: The mechanism of injury and the patient's difficulty moving his neck to the left suggest a possible cervical facet joint sprain, which can cause pain and limited mobility.
- Herniated cervical disc: Although less common in adolescents, a herniated cervical disc could cause neck pain, especially if the patient has a history of trauma or heavy lifting.
- Torticollis: This condition, characterized by a twisted neck, can cause pain and difficulty moving the neck, and can be caused by muscle spasms or other factors.
Do Not Miss (ddxs that may not be likely, but would be deadly if missed.)
- Cervical spine fracture: Although the patient's mechanism of injury may not be typical for a fracture, it is essential to consider this possibility, especially if the patient has a history of trauma or osteoporosis.
- Spinal cord injury: Any injury to the cervical spine can potentially cause spinal cord damage, which can lead to serious and long-lasting consequences.
- Infection (e.g., abscess or osteomyelitis): Infections in the neck can cause severe pain and limited mobility, and can be life-threatening if not promptly treated.
Rare diagnoses
- Cervical spine tumor: Although rare in adolescents, a tumor in the cervical spine can cause neck pain and limited mobility.
- Rheumatologic conditions (e.g., juvenile idiopathic arthritis): Certain rheumatologic conditions can cause neck pain and stiffness, although these are relatively rare in adolescents.
- Vascular conditions (e.g., vertebral artery dissection): Vascular conditions, such as vertebral artery dissection, can cause neck pain and other symptoms, although these are rare in adolescents.