Give the differential diagnoses for a patient with neck stiffness?

1. Meningitis: an infection of the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord, which can cause neck stiffness, fever, headache, and sensitivity to light.

2. Cervical spondylosis: a degenerative condition of the cervical spine that can cause neck stiffness, pain, and limited range of motion.

3. Cervical disc herniation: a condition where the cushioning discs between the vertebrae in the neck bulge or rupture, causing neck stiffness, pain, and possibly radiating symptoms down the arms.

4. Whiplash: a neck injury commonly caused by a sudden jerking motion of the head, often due to a car accident, which can result in neck stiffness, pain, and muscle spasms.

5. Tension headache: a type of headache characterized by a dull, aching pain and tightness in the neck and shoulders, which can cause neck stiffness.

6. Fibromyalgia: a chronic condition characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, and tenderness in specific areas, which can include neck stiffness.

7. Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder: a condition affecting the jaw joint that can cause pain, stiffness, and limited movement in the neck and jaw.

8. Cervical lymphadenitis: inflammation of the lymph nodes in the neck, which can cause neck stiffness, swelling, and tenderness.

9. Cervical muscle strain: an injury to the muscles in the neck, often caused by overuse or sudden movements, which can result in neck stiffness and pain.

10. Rheumatoid arthritis: an autoimmune condition that causes inflammation and pain in the joints, including the neck, leading to stiffness and limited range of motion.

Infectious
- Bacterial meningitis
- Viral meningitis
- Encephalitis
- Lyme disease
- Abscess (epidural, subdural, or retropharyngeal)

Structural
- Subarachnoid hemorrhage
- Epidural hematoma
- Spinal cord injury
- Vertebral osteomyelitis
- Facet joint arthropathy
- Ankylosing spondylitis

Neurological
- Guillain-Barré syndrome
- Transverse myelitis
- Multiple sclerosis
- Parkinson's disease
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)

Musculoskeletal
- Torticollis
- Muscle strain or spasm
- Cervical spondylosis (osteoarthritis of the neck)
- Cervicalgia (neck pain)
- Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction

Other
- Anxiety
- Panic attack
- Stress
- Medication side effects
- Thyroid dysfunction