STUDY DESIGN: Case report. OBJECTIVE: To report the clinical features, radiographic findings, treatments, and results of 2 children with cervical intervertebral disc calcification combined with ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL). SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: The calcification of the intervertebral disc, which is more frequent in males with predominant localization to cervical spine, was first reported by Baron in 1924. OPLL of the cervical spine, which is found approximately in the 5th to 7th decade of life, is a disease-causing spinal canal stenosis and spinal cord compression. The etiologies of these 2 diseases still remain unclear. METHODS: An 8-year-old girl presented with progressive neck pain and complained of weakness and numbness of the upper left extremity, and a 6-year-old boy presented with complains of neck pain. X-ray, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging findings of 2 patients confirmed the presence of cervical intervertebral disc calcification combined with OPLL. RESULTS: Two children were treated using conservative treatment. The girl was observed up for 2 years and the boy was observed up for 18 months, respectively. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging revealed that cervical intervertebral disc calcification and OPLL at the C6/7 (case 1) and C3/4 (case 2) level have disappeared completely, only a small calcification at the C2/3 intervertebral disc remained in the second case and both of them were asymptomatic. CONCLUSIONS: Cervical intervertebral disc calcification combined with OPLL was rarely observed in children. Conservative management was carried out and the patients had a full recovery. Our experience suggests that the conservative treatment is an acceptable method.
STUDY DESIGN: Case report. OBJECTIVE: To report the clinical features, radiographic findings, treatments, and results of 2 children with cervical intervertebral disc calcification combined with ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL). SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: The calcification of the intervertebral disc, which is more frequent in males with predominant localization to cervical spine, was first reported by Baron in 1924. OPLL of the cervical spine, which is found approximately in the 5th to 7th decade of life, is a disease-causing spinal canal stenosis and spinal cord compression. The etiologies of these 2 diseases still remain unclear. METHODS: An 8-year-old girl presented with progressive neck pain and complained of weakness and numbness of the upper left extremity, and a 6-year-old boy presented with complains of neck pain. X-ray, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging findings of 2 patients confirmed the presence of cervical intervertebral disc calcification combined with OPLL. RESULTS: Two children were treated using conservative treatment. The girl was observed up for 2 years and the boy was observed up for 18 months, respectively. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging revealed that cervical intervertebral disc calcification and OPLL at the C6/7 (case 1) and C3/4 (case 2) level have disappeared completely, only a small calcification at the C2/3 intervertebral disc remained in the second case and both of them were asymptomatic. CONCLUSIONS:Cervical intervertebral disc calcification combined with OPLL was rarely observed in children. Conservative management was carried out and the patients had a full recovery. Our experience suggests that the conservative treatment is an acceptable method.
Authors: Eitel Igor Kouamo; Merouane Nour; Jean Marie Gennar; Jean Marc Guillaume; Elie Choufani; Thierry Merrot; Jean Pierre Alessandrni; Kathia Chaumoitre; Michel Panuel; Namane Doumbouya; Patrice Guemaleu Journal: Pan Afr Med J Date: 2016-09-27