Calcification of the alar ligament of the cervical spine: imaging findingsand clinical course

Ligamentous calcification of the cervical spine has been report ed in the y ellow ligament, anterior and posterior longitudinal ligaments and interspin ous ligament. Calcification in the upper cervical spine is rare, although s ome cases with calcification of the transverse ligament of the atlas have b een reported. Two patients with calcification of the alar ligament with an unusual clinical presentation and course are described. Examination by tomo graphy and computed tomography (CT) showed calcification of the alar ligame nt and the transverse ligament of the atlas. CT documented decreased calcif ication as symptoms resolved. There may be a role for CT in the search for calcifications in the upper cervical spine in patients presenting with neck pain and pharyngodynia if radiographs are normal.