Mild cervical spine trauma showing symptomatic calcified cervical disc herniation in a child: a case report.
METHODS
A case study was conducted.


OBJECTIVE
A child with a previously unknown calcified cervical disc herniation experienced acute myelopathy after minor cervical trauma.


BACKGROUND
Calcified cervical intervertebral disc herniations are rare in children. Although these herniations typically pursue a benign course and respond to conservative treatment, surgical removal of the disc may become necessary if spinal cord compression becomes symptomatic.


METHODS
After a minor traumatic event, a 12-year-old boy with an underlying calcified cervical disc herniation at C3-C4 experienced progressive myelopathy requiring anterior discectomy and intervertebral fusion.


RESULTS
After the progression of myelopathy over a 3-week period, an anterior discectomy and fusion with autologous tricortical iliac bone graft was performed at C3-C4. Histologic analysis showed a calcified disc herniation.


CONCLUSIONS
In the presence of a large, calcified cervical disc herniation, mild cervical trauma may result in the onset of severe spastic myelopathy warranting surgical correction.
Schaser
Klaus-D
KD
Department of Trauma and Reconstructive Surgery, Charité, Campus Virchow-Klinikum, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Germany. klaus-dieter.schaser@charite.de
Stover
John F
JF
Kaeaeb
Max J
MJ
Haas
N P
NP
Mittlmeier
Thomas
T
D002114:Calcinosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000293:injuries*; D002648:Child; D006259:Craniocerebral Trauma / Q000150:complications; D017586:Diskectomy; D006801:Humans; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D013117:Spinal Cord Compression / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D013123:Spinal Fusion; D016896:Treatment Outcome