Infections and inflammatory conditions of the cervical spine in children.

Because infections and inflammatory disorders of the cervical spine are uncommon in children and adolescents, diagnosis and treatment are frequently delayed. Intractable pain, limitation of neck motion, and neurologic compromise may occur as the result of these pathologic processes. It is important to identify these symptoms for early diagnosis and treatment of conditions such as bacterial and tuberculous infections, intervertebral disk calcification, juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, and Grisel's syndrome.