Cervical myelopathy induced by pseudogout in ligamentum flavum and retro-odontoid mass: A case report
Journal
Spinal Cord
Journal Volume
44
Journal Issue
11
Pages
692-694
Date Issued
2006
Author(s)
Abstract
Study design: Retrospective case study. Objectives: Report a rare case of cervical myelopathy induced by calcium pyrophosphate dehydrate (CPPD) deposition in multiple cervical levels. Setting: An area teaching hospital in Taiwan. Method: A patient with cervical myelopathy was evaluated by computerized tomography (CT) scan and magnetic resonance (MR) image. CPPD deposition known as pseudogout was diagnosed and approved by a polarized microscope. Result: A prominent hypertrophy of ligmentum flavum and a retro-odontoid bulging mass induced cord compression were found in CT scan and MR image. CPPD deposition was confirmed by the histological examinations in the ligamentum flavum at the spinal levels of C3-C6. After decompression surgery of spine and comprehensive rehabilitation, the patient's neurological symptoms subsided and her neurological functions improved leading to a good prognosis. Conclusion: CPPD deposition in cervical spine occurring at multiple levels is rare. Image studies with CT scan and MR are complementary in the diagnosis of CPPD-induced myelopathy. Surgical decompression is always required and expected to have a good outcome. ? 2006 International Spinal Cord Society. All rights reserved.
Subjects
Calcium pyrophosphate dehydrate; Myelopathy; Neuroimage; Polarized microscopy; Pseudogout; Spine
SDGs
Other Subjects
calcium pyrophosphate; aged; article; case report; cervical myelopathy; computer assisted tomography; decompression surgery; female; histology; human; human tissue; ligamentum flavum; medical examination; muscle hypertrophy; neurologic disease; nuclear magnetic resonance imaging; polarization microscope; priority journal; prognosis; pseudogout; retrospective study; spinal cord compression; spinal cord lesion; spine surgery; Aged; Chondrocalcinosis; Female; Humans; Ligamentum Flavum; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Odontoid Process; Retrospective Studies; Spinal Cord Diseases; Spinal Diseases; Tomography, X-Ray Computed
Type
journal article