C2 extradural schwannoma compressing the dominant internal jugular vein: a case report

We describe a rare case of extradural schwannoma in the upper cervical spine compressing the dominant internal jugular vein (IJV) presenting with atypical headaches. A 50-year-old woman complained of a subcutaneous neck mass associated with atypical headaches. Radiological examinations revealed the right IJV was compressed anteriorly by C2 extradural mass and occluded with markedly dilated collateral cerebral venous drainage through deep cervical veins. Subtotal removal was performed via the posterolateral approach and the atypical headaches resolved immediately. This case demonstrates that extradural schwannoma in the upper cervical spine could compress the IJV and manifest as cerebral venous circulation disturbances.