[Acute headache and neck pain caused by crowned dens syndrome].

Background: Crowned dens syndrome (CDS) is a rare cause of acute headache and neck pain, which is accompanied by fever and a stiff neck. It is caused by calcium deposits (pseudogout) around the dens axis (C2).

Case Description: A 61-year-old woman, with a history of migraine and of breast cancer 8 years previously, was referred to the accident and emergency department of our hospital with acute headache and neck pain.