Korean J Med.  2004 Feb;66(2):219-223.

A case of calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate deposition disease causing compressive cervical myelopathy

• Kim JI
• Seok HJ
• Chung SM
• Lee EY
• Lee CK
• Yoo B
• Moon HB

Abstract

Calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate (CPPD) deposition disease is an inflammatory arthropathy that is defined by the deposition of CPPD crystals in articular and periarticular structure. Spinal involvement in CPPD deposition disease is rare. We reported a rare case of CPPD deposition disease that caused compressive cervical myelopathy. A 57-year-old woman was admitted to the hospital with 1 week history of progressive paresis of the right upper and lower extremities. Computed tomography showed the round and nodular calcified ligamentum flavum. Magnetic resonance imaging showed a low intensity epidural mass pressing and distorting the cervical cord at C-4 and 5 levels on both T1 and T2- weighted images. Radiographic findings were consistent with calcification of the ligamentum flavum in the C-4 and 5 levels causing cord compression. The lesion was eventually removed by hemilaminectomy. The mass was composed of a very hard crystal like calcified deposition in the ligamentum flavum. The histopathological evaluation of the exicised ligamentum flavum revealed the characteristic crystals of CPPD.

Keyword

Calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate; Ligamentum flavum; Compressive myelopathy

MeSH Terms

Calcium Pyrophosphate*
Calcium*
Chondrocalcinosis*
Female
Humans
Ligamentum Flavum
Lower Extremity
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Middle Aged
Paresis
Spinal Cord Compression
Spinal Cord Diseases*
Calcium
Calcium Pyrophosphate