A 14 year old female patient presents with neck pain since 5 months. She has associated headaches and limitation of movements of the neck. Detailed neurological examination mild reduction of power in the upper limbs and exaggerated reflexes in all four extremities. X-ray cervical spine showed a fracture of C2. CT scan and MRI showed a tumor in the region of the upper cervical vertebrae with prevertebral extension. The tumor was resected and the cervical spine stabilized with instrumentation.
Histopathology showed cells with eccentric nuclei and vacuolated cytoplasm in a mucinous matrix. Immunohistochemistry showed positive staining with S-100 and cytokeratin. What is the nature of the tumor? Source: CI. Shaffrey. SpineUniverse.com
