Crowned dens syndrome is defined as an association of acute cervical p
ain and calcifications in the peri-odontoid space. The authors report
one case of this rare localization of hydroxy-apatite rheumatism and r
eview 12 similar cases in the literature. This disease affects only ad
ult females. Patients present with inflammatory signs, can be treated
with non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs and recover without sequela.
Calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate deposition can also lead to this syndr
ome. Other perioodontoid calcifications and ossifications, usually asy
mptomatic, appear only as a radiologically crowned dens.