Journal of Korean Society of Spine Surgery  2011;18(4):254-258

doi:10.4184/jkss.2011.18.4.254

Cervical Intervertebral Disc Calcification in Children: A Case Report.

Dong Eun SHIN 1 ; Chang Soo AHN ; Yong Suk CHO

Affiliations

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Keywords

Children; Cervical spine; Intervertebral disc; Calcification

Country

Republic of Korea

Language

Korean

Abstract

STUDY DESIGN: A case report. OBJECTIVES: This case report presents a child who was treated conservatively after having being diagnosed with cervical intervertebral disc calcification. SUMMARY OF LITERATURE REVIEW: Cervical intervertebral disc calcification is considered as a degenerative change of spine. It is common in adults and in most cases, no symptoms are observed. In children, by contrast, it is a rare condition and frequently accompanies symptoms such as severe neck pain and dysphagia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A 7-year-old male patient who suffered from neck pain and torticollis without trauma had been diagnosed with cervical intervertebral disc calcification and was treated conservatively. He was discharged after symptom relief, and has been followed up and observed in our outpatient department. RESULTS: The improvements of symptom and radiographic findings were found in the month follow up. CONCLUSIONS: Cervical intervertebral disc calcification shows similar symptoms to laryngopharyngeal abscess, traumatic injury and infective spondylitis, but through careful physical examination and radiologic evaluation, differential diagnosis is possible. After diagnosis, conservative treatment alone is sufficient. Antibiotic usage and surgical treatment are avoidable.