Pediatric intervertebral disc calcification: A no touch lesion

Intervertebral disc calcification (IVDC), though rare, remains an important differential of pediatric spinal pain. A 7-year-old boy presented with sudden-onset severe neck pain and restricted movements. There was no definite history of trauma or infection. Imaging of the cervical spine showed calcif...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Monika Garg, Sanyal Kumar, Bhawna Satija, Rajat Gupta
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2012-01-01
Series:Journal of Craniovertebral Junction and Spine
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.jcvjs.com/article.asp?issn=0974-8237;year=2012;volume=3;issue=1;spage=23;epage=25;aulast=Garg
Description
Summary:Intervertebral disc calcification (IVDC), though rare, remains an important differential of pediatric spinal pain. A 7-year-old boy presented with sudden-onset severe neck pain and restricted movements. There was no definite history of trauma or infection. Imaging of the cervical spine showed calcification of the intervertebral disc at C2-3 level, with significant posterior protrusion into the spinal canal causing compression of the cervical spinal cord. The child was kept on conservative management. The calcification and posterior protrusion showed near-complete resolution on 3-month follow-up. This case report emphasizes that childhood IVDC is a benign condition which commonly resolves spontaneously, without any surgical intervention and neurological sequelae.
ISSN:0974-8237