Idiopathic intervertebral disc calcification in children: the role of diagnostic imaging. A case report

• Published in: Reumatismo Vol. 58; no. 1; pp. 62 - 65
• Main Authors: Falcone, Lorenzo, Rossiello, Pasquale, D'Addetta, Ignazio, Martino, Fabio
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Italian
• Published: Italy 01-01-2006
• Subjects: Calcinosis - complications; Calcinosis - diagnosis; Calcinosis - diagnostic imaging; Calcinosis - pathology; Cervical Vertebrae - diagnostic imaging; Child; Discitis - complications; Discitis - diagnosis; Discitis - diagnostic imaging; Discitis - pathology; Disease Progression; Humans; Intervertebral Disc Displacement - diagnosis; Intervertebral Disc Displacement - diagnostic imaging; Intervertebral Disc Displacement - etiology; Intervertebral Disc Displacement - pathology; Longitudinal Ligaments - pathology; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Male; Neck Injuries - complications; Tomography, X-Ray Computed; Torticollis - etiology
• ISSN: 0048-7449

The idiopathic calcification of the intervertebral disc in childhood is a rare syndrome with unknown aetiology. This pathology is more frequent in males, with predominant localization to cervical spine. The natural evolution of the syndrome is the progressive and spontaneous resorption of the calcific deposit, with symptom regression. We report a case of an acute and worsening torticollis in a 10-year-old child, with reference to a recent minor cervical distortion, resistant to analgesic treatment. X-ray evaluation, executed after a week from the appearance of torticollis, showed an oval calcification in the nucleus pulposus of the C6-C7 intervertebral disc. The CT and especially the MRI concurred to recognize a disc hernia and an adjacent osteo-ligamentous pathologic participation. In particular, MRI showed the adjacent vertebral spongy bone edema and the active enthesiopathy of the posterior longitudinal ligament.