HERNIATION OF A CALCIFIED INTERVERTEBRAL DISC IN A 5 YEARS OLD BOY

Herniation of the calcified nucleus pulposus is a complication of inte rvertebral disc calcification. The herniated nucleus pulposus may assu me an intraspinal location which may lead to cord compression and prod uce alarming neurological symptoms and radiographic images. Surgical i ntervention is, however, rarely necessary as complete resorption of th e calcified disc material will generally occur. We report the case of a five years old boy with the symptoms of an acute tortcollis, radiogr aphs of the cervical spine revealed calcification of C5/C6 interverteb ral disc and MRT narrowing of the spinal canal. With conservative trea tment his symptoms resolved within three weeks, three months later X-r ays and MRI showed complete resolution of the calcification and hernia tion.