Compressive cervical myelopathy due to calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate deposition disease - Report of a case and review of the literature

Calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate (CPPD) deposition disease is an inflammator y arthropathy that is defined by the deposition of CPPD crystals in articul ar and periarticular structures. The deposition of CPPD in hyaline cartilag e and fibrocartilage leads to the chondrocalcinosis that is characteristic of the disease. It can occur independently or in association with any of a number of inflammatory or endocrine disorders. This form of crystal-induced arthritis tends to affect the peripheral joints, particularly the knees, a nkles, shoulders, wrists, and second and third metacarpophalangeal joints, but involvement of the lumbar spine is not uncommon. Cervical spine disease due to CPPD deposition is, however, rare. We report a case of compressive cervical myelopathy due ito CPPD deposition disease of the cervical spine i n a woman with long-standing rheumatoid arthritis. We also, from a review o f the English-language literature, describe the collective reported clinica l experience with CPPD deposition disease of the cervical spine.