Pediatric intervertebral disc calcification: A no touch lesion

• 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: Calcification; cervical; intervertebral disc; spinal pain
• Online Access: http://www.jcvjs.com/article.asp?issn=0974-8237;year=2012;volume=3;issue=1;spage=23;epage=25;aulast=Garg

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.