College Answer

°     Meningitis/encephalitis

°     Subarachnoid hemorrhage

°     Post fossa syndrome

°     Tetanus

°     Cervical spondylitis

°     Neck abscess

°     Wry neck / Torticollis

Discussion

To this predictable list, I could also add

• dural sinus thrombosis
• epidural abscess
• cervical facet joint arthritis
• "whiplash" - musculoskeletal hyperextension injury

And many others. One can go right to town on this. Consider a cause for neck stiffness from any of the major pathological categories, and I guarantee you will find one.

Observe:

Vascular:

• Dural sinus thrombosis
• Subarachnoid hemorrhage

Infectious:

• Epidural abscess
• Neck abscess
• Meningitis/encephalitis
• Tetanus

Neoplastic:

• C-spine vertebral metastasis or primary

Drug-related:

• Dystonic reaction
• Withdrawal

Idiopathic/inflammatory:

• Osteoarthritis
• Cervical spondylitis
• Torticollis

Autoimmune:

• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Ankylosing spondylitis

Traumatic

• Whiplash
• C-spine dislocation, subluxation or fracture
• Prolonged neck hyperextension during surgery (eg. tracheostomy)

Endocrine:

• Hypocalcemia