Calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate deposition in the transverse ligament of the atlas: an unusual cause of cervical myelopathy.
case_report · Level V
Where this comes from
- Record sourced from PubMed, PMID 17265158.
- No licence information is recorded for this record.
- Because redistribution is not established, this page shows the abstract only. Follow the links below for the full text.
Abstract
A 75-year-old male presented with progressive myelopathy due to massive retro-odontoid deposits of calcium pyrophosphate dehydrate (CPPD) crystals. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a non-enhanced isointense extradural mass on a T1-weighted image and a heterogeneous intense mass on a T2-weighted image. Computed tomography (CT) showed linear calcification within the mass. The mass was resected via a posterolateral approach resulting in marked improvement of the symptoms. Histological examination revealed birefringent rhomboid crystals consistent with CPPD. The preoperative differential diagnosis of periodontoid CPPD deposition disease in the elderly population should be considered, particularly if CT studies demonstrate small areas of calcification within the retro-odontoid mass.
Medical subject headings
- Cervical Atlas
- Cervical Vertebrae
- Chondrocalcinosis
- Ligaments
- Spinal Cord Compression
Anatomy
- cervical spine