Question

Neck pain and trouble swalowing. No trauma.

Answer

Osteomyelitis of the cervical spine is the least common location to find spinal infection. “Osteomyelitis of the cervical spine is a rare disease, representing only 3% – 6% of all cases of vertebral osteomyelitis. In contrast with other locations of spinal infections, osteomyelitis of the cervical spine can be a much more dramatic and rapidly deteriorating process, leading to early neurologic deficit”.

Note the bony destruction as well as the abscess labeled on the lateral view. 

References