Fig. 1

a Computed tomography of the cervical spine on admission demonstrates degenerative changes at C5/6. b T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (1.5 T, 3 mm slice thickness) 3 days later was performed because of neck pain without radicular or medullary symptoms. Degenerative changes were confirmed at C4–7, with mild canal stenosis at C4/5 (10.9 mm) and C5/6 (10.2 mm). A hemangioma at Th3 was observed. Myelomalacia was ruled out. c Short-T1 inversion recovery (STIR) magnetic resonance imaging with a large field of view demonstrates subtle prevertebral hemorrhagic effusion within the soft tissue (red arrow) as well as edema between the processi spinosi (yellow arrow) at the cervicothoracic transition