Cervical intervertebral disc calcification with extreme lateral herniation in a child: T2-weighted signal intensity of the involved disc can be restored to normal

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this case report is to present a very atypical case of cervical intervertebral disc calcification (IDC) with extreme lateral herniated calcification in a child. This is the first ever reported case in which T2-weighted signal intensity of the involved disc was restored to normal after a 2-year follow-up.

Methods: A 10-year-old girl presented with neck pain and right upper limb numbness for 2 months. The initial computed tomography (CT) images on admission showed calcified nucleus pulposus with extreme lateral herniated calcification at the C6-C7 level. Meanwhile, T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed decreased signal intensity of the involved disc. The patient was treated conservatively with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and jaw-occipital belt traction for 2 weeks. The cervical CT and MRI scans were repeated at 2-year follow-up.

Results: Her clinical symptoms were completely resolved after 2 weeks. At 2-year follow-up, CT and MRI images demonstrated that calcification was completely absorbed and T2-weighted signal intensity of the C6-C7 disc was restored back to normal.

Conclusion: Cervical IDC combined with extreme lateral herniated calcification is extremely rare in children. The recovery of signal intensity of intervertebral disc on MRI may provide further support to the feasibility of conservative treatment of IDC.

Keywords: Cervical spine; Children; Conservative treatment; Intervertebral disc calcification; Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).