Skip to main content
Top
Published in: Child's Nervous System 7/2010

01-07-2010 | Case Report

Intervertebral disc calcification with neurological symptoms in children: report of conservative treatment in two cases

Authors: Xavier Bajard, Francis Renault, Taieb Benharrats, Pierre Mary, Faouzi Madi, Raphaël Vialle

Published in: Child's Nervous System | Issue 7/2010

Login to get access

Abstract

Purpose

Intervertebral calcifications are rare in the paediatric population. Two cases of children with symptomatic intervertebral calcifications responsible for spinal cord compression and neurological compromise are presented.

Methods

The data of two children treated conservatively for a symptomatic intervertebral calcification responsible for spinal cord compression and neurological compromise were retrospectively reviewed.

Results

Frontal and lateral radiographs are usually sufficient to determine the presence and extent of the calcified cervical disc protrusion. Conservative treatment with antalgics and bracing was applied in both cases. The two patients were completely free of symptoms 4 weeks after initial treatment. Magnetic resonance imaging screening showed a complete vertebral canal clearance at final follow-up.

Conclusion

Despite the lack of significance due to the small number of patients, conservative treatment should be considered in children with moderate neurological symptoms due to calcified disc protrusion.
Literature
1.
go back to reference Aliberti G, Pulignano I, Schiappoli A, Minisola S, Romagnoli E, Proietta M (2003) Bone metabolism in ochronotic patients. J Intern Med 254:296–300CrossRefPubMed Aliberti G, Pulignano I, Schiappoli A, Minisola S, Romagnoli E, Proietta M (2003) Bone metabolism in ochronotic patients. J Intern Med 254:296–300CrossRefPubMed
2.
go back to reference Barrett MO, Anderson JT, Rao B, Vaslow D, Hoernschemeyer DG (2008) Multilevel pediatric cervicothoracic intervertebral disc calcifications. Am J Orthop (Belle Mead, NJ) 37:E126–E128 Barrett MO, Anderson JT, Rao B, Vaslow D, Hoernschemeyer DG (2008) Multilevel pediatric cervicothoracic intervertebral disc calcifications. Am J Orthop (Belle Mead, NJ) 37:E126–E128
3.
4.
go back to reference Coventry MB (1970) Calcification in a cervical disc with anterior protrusion and dysphagia. A case report. J Bone Jt Surg 52:1463–1466 Coventry MB (1970) Calcification in a cervical disc with anterior protrusion and dysphagia. A case report. J Bone Jt Surg 52:1463–1466
5.
go back to reference Dai LY, Ye H, Qian QR (2004) The natural history of cervical disc calcification in children. J Bone Jt Surg 86-A:1467–1472 Dai LY, Ye H, Qian QR (2004) The natural history of cervical disc calcification in children. J Bone Jt Surg 86-A:1467–1472
6.
go back to reference Dias MS, Pang D (1991) Juvenile intervertebral disc calcification: recognition, management, and pathogenesis. Neurosurgery 28:130–135CrossRefPubMed Dias MS, Pang D (1991) Juvenile intervertebral disc calcification: recognition, management, and pathogenesis. Neurosurgery 28:130–135CrossRefPubMed
7.
go back to reference Girodias JB, Azouz EM, Marton D (1991) Intervertebral disk space calcification. A report of 51 children with a review of the literature. Pediatr Radiol 21:541–546CrossRefPubMed Girodias JB, Azouz EM, Marton D (1991) Intervertebral disk space calcification. A report of 51 children with a review of the literature. Pediatr Radiol 21:541–546CrossRefPubMed
8.
go back to reference Lyon E (1932) Kalkablargerungen in der Zwischenwirbelscheibe im Kindersalter. Zeitschr F Kinderheil 53:570–574CrossRef Lyon E (1932) Kalkablargerungen in der Zwischenwirbelscheibe im Kindersalter. Zeitschr F Kinderheil 53:570–574CrossRef
9.
go back to reference MacCartee CC Jr, Griffin PP, Byrd EB (1972) Ruptured calcified thoracic disc in a child. Report of a case. J Bone Jt Surg 54:1272–1274 MacCartee CC Jr, Griffin PP, Byrd EB (1972) Ruptured calcified thoracic disc in a child. Report of a case. J Bone Jt Surg 54:1272–1274
10.
go back to reference Mainzer F (1973) Herniation of the nucleus pulposus. A rare complication of intervertebral-disk calcification in children. Radiology 107:167–170PubMed Mainzer F (1973) Herniation of the nucleus pulposus. A rare complication of intervertebral-disk calcification in children. Radiology 107:167–170PubMed
11.
go back to reference Newton TH (1958) Cervical intervertebraldisc calcification in children. J Bone Jt Surg 40-A:107–113 Newton TH (1958) Cervical intervertebraldisc calcification in children. J Bone Jt Surg 40-A:107–113
12.
go back to reference Oda J, Tanaka H, Tsuzuki N (1988) Intervertebral disc changes with aging of human cervical vertebra. From the neonate to the eighties. Spine 13:1205–1211CrossRefPubMed Oda J, Tanaka H, Tsuzuki N (1988) Intervertebral disc changes with aging of human cervical vertebra. From the neonate to the eighties. Spine 13:1205–1211CrossRefPubMed
13.
go back to reference Oga M, Terada K, Kikuchi N, Oda Y, Sugioka Y (1993) Herniation of calcified cervical intervertebral disc causes dissociated motor loss in a child. Spine 18:2347–2350CrossRefPubMed Oga M, Terada K, Kikuchi N, Oda Y, Sugioka Y (1993) Herniation of calcified cervical intervertebral disc causes dissociated motor loss in a child. Spine 18:2347–2350CrossRefPubMed
14.
go back to reference Peck FC Jr (1957) A calcified thoracic intervertebral disk with herniation and spinal cord compression in a child; case report. J Neurosurg 14:105–109CrossRefPubMed Peck FC Jr (1957) A calcified thoracic intervertebral disk with herniation and spinal cord compression in a child; case report. J Neurosurg 14:105–109CrossRefPubMed
15.
go back to reference Sandstrom C (1951) Calcifications of the intervertebral discs and the relationship between various types of calcifications in the soft tissues of the body. Acta Radiol 36:217–233CrossRefPubMed Sandstrom C (1951) Calcifications of the intervertebral discs and the relationship between various types of calcifications in the soft tissues of the body. Acta Radiol 36:217–233CrossRefPubMed
16.
go back to reference Smith RA, Vohman MD, Dimon JH 3rd, Averett JE Jr, Milsap JH Jr (1977) Calcified cervical intervertebral discs in children. Report of three cases. J Neurosurg 46:233–238CrossRefPubMed Smith RA, Vohman MD, Dimon JH 3rd, Averett JE Jr, Milsap JH Jr (1977) Calcified cervical intervertebral discs in children. Report of three cases. J Neurosurg 46:233–238CrossRefPubMed
17.
go back to reference Sonnabend DH, Taylor TK, Chapman GK (1982) Intervertebral disc calcification syndromes in children. J Bone Jt Surg Br 64:25–31 Sonnabend DH, Taylor TK, Chapman GK (1982) Intervertebral disc calcification syndromes in children. J Bone Jt Surg Br 64:25–31
18.
go back to reference Ventura N, Huguet R, Salvador A, Terricabras L, Cabrera AM (1995) Intervertebral disc calcification in childhood. Int Orthop 19:291–294CrossRefPubMed Ventura N, Huguet R, Salvador A, Terricabras L, Cabrera AM (1995) Intervertebral disc calcification in childhood. Int Orthop 19:291–294CrossRefPubMed
19.
go back to reference Weens H (1945) Calcification of the intervertebral discs in childhood. J Pediat 26:178–188CrossRef Weens H (1945) Calcification of the intervertebral discs in childhood. J Pediat 26:178–188CrossRef
Metadata
Title
Intervertebral disc calcification with neurological symptoms in children: report of conservative treatment in two cases
Authors
Xavier Bajard
Francis Renault
Taieb Benharrats
Pierre Mary
Faouzi Madi
Raphaël Vialle
Publication date
01-07-2010
Publisher
Springer-Verlag
Published in
Child's Nervous System / Issue 7/2010
Print ISSN: 0256-7040
Electronic ISSN: 1433-0350
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00381-010-1117-y

Other articles of this Issue 7/2010

Child's Nervous System 7/2010 Go to the issue