TUMORAL CALCIUM PYROPHOSPHATE DIHYDRATE DEPOSITION DISEASE MIMICKING A CERVICAL-SPINE NEOPLASM - CASE-REPORT

A CASE OF tumoral calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate crystal deposition d isease involving the upper cervical spine is reported. It presented cl inically, radiographically, and by preliminary intraoperative patholog ical evaluation as a possible malignant soft tissue tumor. An aggressi ve resection of the lesion was performed. This case differs from previ ous reports oi calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate crystal deposition dise ase of the cervical spine by the size, location, and radiographic appe arance of the lesion. We suggest that radical surgical procedures shou ld not be performed without consideration of this diagnosis in lesions with similar presentations. A brief review of spinal and tumoral calc ium pyrophosphate dihydrate crystal deposition is presented.