Case Reports
Multilevel Pediatric Cervicothoracic Intervertebral Disc Calcifications
Am J Orthop. 2008 July;37(7):E126-E128
Author and Disclosure Information
Matthew O. Barrett, MD, John T. Anderson, MD, Brinda Rao, MD, Dale Vaslow, MD, and Daniel G. Hoernschemeyer, MD
Dr. Barrett is Fellow, Anderson Orthopaedic Research Institute, Alexandria, Virginia.
Dr. Anderson is Assistant Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri.
Dr. Rao is with River Oaks Imaging and Diagnostic, Houston, Texas.
Dr. Vaslow is Associate Professor of Radiology, and Dr. Hoernschemeyer is Assistant Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri.
Abstract not available. Introduction provided instead.
Intervertebral disc calcifications, not uncommon in adults, are a very rare entity in children.1,2 Pediatric calcifications are entirely different from the usual degenerative calcifications seen in adults. Children present clinically with fever, pain, and limited range of motion. Potential laboratory abnormalities include leukocytosis and elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR).3,4 Infection and trauma have been proposed as possible etiologies. However, the cause remains obscure.2 Metabolic causes have been demonstrated in adult calcifications but not in pediatric calcifications. Symptoms most often manifest between the ages of 7 and 10 years, with most reports indicating a greater prevalence in males.5 The most common location is the cervical spine.3,4,6