[Calcification following intradiscal injection, a continuing problem?].
BACKGROUND
Intradiscal injection of triamcinolone hexacetonide, used to treat sciatica caused by herniated discs was discontinued after discovery that it was followed in some cases by epidural calcification.


METHODS
Ten years after an intradiscal injection at L4-L5, a 40 year-old man developed voluminous perivertebral, bilateral foraminal and intraductal calcifications that compressed the dural sheath. After preliminary excision, these calcifications recurred and required further excision, followed by posterior lateral grafting and osteosynthesis.


CONCLUSIONS
Calcifications following intradiscal injections are symptomatic in 14 to 68% of cases. They require radical surgical treatment to avoid recurrence.
Darmoul
M
M
Unite de Neurochirurgie, Hôpital des FSI, La Marsa Tunisie. Mehdi.Darmoul@fmt.rnu.tn
Bouhaouala
M H
MH
Rezgui
M
M
D000328:Adult; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002114:Calcinosis / Q000139:chemically induced*; D006801:Humans; D015552:Injections, Intralesional; D007405:Intervertebral Disc Displacement / Q000188:drug therapy; D008297:Male; D013118:Spinal Cord Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced*; D014222:Triamcinolone Acetonide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D014222:Triamcinolone Acetonide; C005900:triamcinolone hexacetonide