Cervico-occipital pain caused by vertebrogenic compression of the second cervical nerve. A successful case of surgical treatment

The purpose of the study is to describe a clinical case of successful surgical treatment of vertebrogenic compression of the second cervical nerve. Materials and methods. A patient with severe cervico-occipital pain associated with the compression of the left second cervical nerve was treated at the university clinic of the Russian University of Medicine. The source of pain was localized using targeted blockade under X-ray navigation. The cause of the compression was osteophyte as a manifestation of atlantoaxial osteoarthritis. Results. The patient underwent surgical treatment: a C1‑C2 left arcotomy was performed using a posterior approach, and bone decompression of the second cervical nerve was carried out. After surgery, the patient noted regression of her typical cervico-occipital pain. Conclusion. The compression of the second cervical nerve is one of the rare causes of cervico-occipital pain. Surgical decompression relieved the patient of pain.