Calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate deposition in lumbar disc fibrocartilage.

Calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate deposits were found in the lumbar disc fibrocartilage in 4 patients undergoing surgery for spinal cord or nerve root compression. All of the patients had prior surgery at the same lumbar area. None of the patients had the articular or roentgenographic manifestations of calcium pyrophosphate deposition disease (pseudogout). Andres and Trainer have recently reported 7 similar patients. Calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate deposition in axial skeleton fibrocartilage may be a common finding in patients undergoing repeat spinal surgery.