Super-acute aseptic spondylitis as the first manifestation of round calcifying nucleopathy in a 77-year-old man. A case report.
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.
Kolsi
I
I
Department of Rheumatology, Nantes University Hospital, France.
Dubois
C
C
Berthelot
J M
JM
Maugars
Y
Y
Desal
H
H
Prost
A
A
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*