Clinical reasoning: a 51-year-old man with cervical pain and progressively deteriorating gait.

A 51-year-old Caucasian man presented with cervical pain, right hand weakness, and progressively deteriorating gait. Onset of symptoms occurred 1 month before admission with cervical pain that worsened during neck flexion. A few days later he noticed reduced dexterity and numbness of his right hand. During the following 3 weeks, his gait became increasingly unstable. Additionally, he reported erectile dysfunction and urinary hesitancy. No previous trauma was recalled. His medical and family history was unremarkable except for hypertension that was treated with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors.