title: Super-acute aseptic spondylitis as the first manifestation of round calcifying nucleopathy in a 77-year-old man. A case report.
abstract: METHODS
  This is a report of an unusual case of very late onset, symptomatic, round calcifying nucleopathy.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To describe this unusual case of calcifying nucleopathy in a 77-year-old man who had no previous back problems, but had a history of diffuse skeletal hyperostosis.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  The resorption of calcifying nucleopathy associated with reactional spondylitis is a classic occurrence in children but is rare in adults.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Spondylitis was diagnosed on the basis of pain, a transient Babinski's sign, and systemic inflammation. Radiographs, a bone scan, and magnetic resonance imaging revealed a large calcified nucleopathy of the T12-L1 disc associated with spondylitis of T12. The calcification disappeared within 3 weeks, and recovery was clinically and biologically complete after treatment consisting of only rest and analgesics.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A diagnosis of resorption of a round calcifying nucleopathy is not to be excluded in the elderly patient. This event can mimic an infectious spondylitis clinically and biologically.
authors.affiliation: Department of Rheumatology, Nantes University Hospital, France.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Kolsi
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Dubois
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Berthelot
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Maugars
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Desal
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Prost
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D002114:Calcinosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D015299:Discitis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011859:Radiography; D013166:Spondylitis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*