J Korean Soc Spine Surg.  2011 Dec;18(4):254-258. 10.4184/jkss.2011.18.4.254.

Cervical Intervertebral Disc Calcification in Children: A Case Report

• Shin DE
• Ahn CS
• Cho YS

• KMID: 1448004
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4184/jkss.2011.18.4.254

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.

Keyword

Children; Cervical spine; Intervertebral disc; Calcification

MeSH Terms

Abscess
Adult
Child
Diagnosis, Differential
Humans
Intervertebral Disc
Male
Neck Pain
Outpatients
Physical Examination
Spine
Spondylitis
Torticollis

Figure

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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

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  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

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  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

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  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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