Crowned dens syndrome

Abstract

A 77-year-old man was admitted with posterior cervical pain, lumbago, a low-grade fever, and anorexia after bowel cleaning with polyethylene glycol for colonoscopy. Computed tomography of the neck showed cal-cification of the transverse ligament of the atlas. He was diagnosed with crowned dens syndrome (CDS). His condition improved following treatment with corticosteroids. This represents a rare case of CDS after endo-scopy with polypectomy. We should consider CDS in the differential diagnosis of patients with unexplained fever and posterior cervical pain after bowel preparation for colonoscopy.