J Korean Orthop Assoc.  2009 Oct;44(5):570-574. 10.4055/jkoa.2009.44.5.570.

Calcification of Intervertebral Discs of the Cervical Spine in Children: Report of 2 Cases

• Kim WJ
• Kim H
• Kim KJ
• Lee SK
• Lee DH

• KMID: 2186318
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4055/jkoa.2009.44.5.570

Abstract

Calcification of intervertebral discs of the cervical spine in a child is an uncommon disorder, and is often associated with clinical symptoms. The etiology is still unknown, but the natural history has been reported as having a self-limiting course with an excellent prognosis. Here we report two cases of symptomatic cervical disc calcification in a child and provide a literature review.

Keyword

Child; Cervical spine; Intervertebral disc; Calcification

MeSH Terms

Child
Humans
Intervertebral Disc
Natural History
Prognosis
Spine

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 (A) Lateral radiograph of the cervical spine showing smaller intervertebral disc calcification of the C2-3 and larger one of the C5-6 (arrows). (B) Initial CT scan showing smaller and round shape calcified disc of C2-3; however, larger, fragmented and herniated one of the C5-6 (arrows). (C, D) One and a half year follow up radiograph and CT scan showing complete resolution of calcified discs of the C2-3 and C5-6 (arrows).

• 

  Fig. 2 (A) Lateral radiograph of the cervical spine showing dense intervertebral disc calcification confined at the C5-6 (arrow). (B) Initial MRI showing round and oval shape intervertebral disc calcification at the C5-6 (arrow). (C, D) One year follow up radiograph and CT scan showing markedly decrease of the calcified disc of the C5-6 (arrow).

Reference

1. Dias MS, Pang D. Juvenile intervertebral disc calcification: recognition, management, and pathogenesis. Neurosurgery. 1991. 28:130–135.

2. Dai LY, Ye H, Qian QR. The natural history of cervical disc calcification in children. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2004. 86:1467–1472.

3. Smith RA, Vohman MD, Dimon JH 3rd, Averett JE Jr, Milsap JH Jr. Calcified cervical intervertebral discs in children. Report of three cases. J Neurosurg. 1997. 46:233–238.

4. Swick HM. Calcification of intervertebral discs in childhood. J Pediatr. 1975. 86:364–369.

5. Blomquist HK, Lindqvist M, Mattson S. Calcification of intervertebral discs in childhood. Pediatr Radiol. 1979. 8:23–26.

6. Bagatur AE, Zorer G, Centel T. Narural history of paediatric intervertebral disc calcification. Arch Orthop Trauma Surg. 2001. 121:601–603.

7. Sonnabend DH, Taylor TK, Chapman GK. Intervertebral disc calcification syndromes in children. J Bone Joint Surg Br. 1982. 64:25–31.

8. Wong CC, Pereira B, Pho RW. Cervical disc calcification in children. A long term review. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 1992. 17:139–144.

9. Oga M, Terada K, Kikuchi N, Oda Y, Sugioka Y. Herniation of calcified cervical intervertebral disc causes dissociated motor loss in a child. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 1993. 18:2347–2350.