Cervical Intervertebral Disc Calcification in Children - A Case Report-

Dong-Eun Shin; Chang-Soo Ahn; Yong-Suk Cho

doi:10.4184/jkss.2011.18.4.254

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Shin, Ahn, and Cho: Cervical Intervertebral Disc Calcification in Children - A Case Report-

Case Report

Journal of Korean Spine Surg 2011;18(4):254-258.

Published online: 21 December 2011

DOI: https://doi.org/10.4184/jkss.2011.18.4.254

Cervical Intervertebral Disc Calcification in Children - A Case Report-

Dong-Eun Shin, M.D., Chang-Soo Ahn, M.D.^∗, Yong-Suk Cho, M.D.

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, CHA Bundang Medical Center, CHA University, Korea

^∗Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, CHA Gumi Medical Center, CHA Hospital, Korea

Corresponding author: Chang-Soo Ahn, M.D. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, CHA Gumi Medical Center, CHA University, 855 Hyungkok-dong, Gumi-si, Gyongsangbuk-do 730-040, Korea TEL: 82-31-780-5289, FAX: 82-31-708-3578 E-mail: techcho123@naver.com

Received 3 September 2011 Revised 28 November 2011 Accepted 1 December 2011

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/) which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Abstract

Study Design

A case report.

Objectives

This case report presents a child who was treated conservatively after having being diagnosed with cervical intervertebral disc calcification.

Summary of Literature Review

Cervical intervertebral disc calcification is considered as a degenerative change of spine. It is common in adults and in most cases, no symptoms are observed. In children, by contrast, it is a rare condition and frequently accompanies symptoms such as severe neck pain and dysphagia.

Materials and Methods

A 7-year-old male patient who suffered from neck pain and torticollis without trauma had been diagnosed with cervical intervertebral disc calcification and was treated conservatively. He was discharged after symptom relief, and has been followed up and observed in our outpatient department.

Results

The improvements of symptom and radiographic findings were found in the month follow up.

Conclusions

Cervical intervertebral disc calcification shows similar symptoms to laryngopharyngeal abscess, traumatic injury and infective spondylitis, but through careful physical examination and radiologic evaluation, differential diagnosis is possible. After diagnosis, conservative treatment alone is sufficient. Antibiotic usage and surgical treatment are avoidable.

Keywords: Children, Cervical spine, Intervertebral disc, Calcification

REFERENCES

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Fig. 1.

Initial X-ray. Intervertebral disc calcification at C2-3 with right anterior hernication with inferior migration and associated retropharyngeal widening (A) AP view (B) Lateral view

Fig. 2.

Initial MRI. Acute symptomatic intervertebral disc calcification at C2-3 with right sided prevertebral hermiation of the calcification migrating inferiorly (A) T2WI Axial view (B) T1WI Sagittal view

Fig. 3.

Spinal CT. Acute symptomatic intervertebral disccalcification at C2-3 with right sided prevertebral hermiation of the calcification migrating inferiorly (A) Axial view (B) Sagittal view

Fig. 4.

F/U X-ray after 2 months. Detcreased intervertebral disc calcification at C2-3 (A) AP view (B) Lateral view

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