Retro-odontoid massive calcium pyrophosphate crystal deposition--case report.
An 86-year-old male presented with progressive myelopathy due to retro-odontoid massive deposits of calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate (CPPD) crystals. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a non-enhanced isointense extradural mass on the T1-weighted image and heterogeneously intense mass on the T2-weighted image. Computed tomography showed typical punctate and linear calcifications within the mass. The mass was resected via a lateral approach resulting in marked improvement of the symptoms. Histological examination revealed birefringent rhomboid crystals consistent with CPPD. CPPD deposition should be considered in the differential diagnosis of retro-odontoid extradural mass because surgical therapy is beneficial even for elderly patients.
Department of Neurosurgery, Osaka Koseinenkin Hospital.
H
H
Hasegawa
Y
Y
Nakajima
E
E
Mabuchi
T
T
Hashiba
Y
Y
Miyao
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002114:Calcinosis / Q000473:pathology*; D002131:Calcium Pyrophosphate / Q000378:metabolism*; D003460:Crystallization; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D009809:Odontoid Process / Q000473:pathology*; D013117:Spinal Cord Compression / Q000473:pathology*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
D002131:Calcium Pyrophosphate