title: Calcification of the intervertebral disc and posterior longitudinal ligament in children.
abstract: METHODS
  Case report.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To report the clinical features, radiographic findings, treatments, and results of 2 children with cervical intervertebral disc calcification combined with ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL).
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  The calcification of the intervertebral disc, which is more frequent in males with predominant localization to cervical spine, was first reported by Baron in 1924. OPLL of the cervical spine, which is found approximately in the 5th to 7th decade of life, is a disease-causing spinal canal stenosis and spinal cord compression. The etiologies of these 2 diseases still remain unclear.
  
  
  METHODS
  An 8-year-old girl presented with progressive neck pain and complained of weakness and numbness of the upper left extremity, and a 6-year-old boy presented with complains of neck pain. X-ray, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging findings of 2 patients confirmed the presence of cervical intervertebral disc calcification combined with OPLL.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Two children were treated using conservative treatment. The girl was observed up for 2 years and the boy was observed up for 18 months, respectively. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging revealed that cervical intervertebral disc calcification and OPLL at the C6/7 (case 1) and C3/4 (case 2) level have disappeared completely, only a small calcification at the C2/3 intervertebral disc remained in the second case and both of them were asymptomatic.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Cervical intervertebral disc calcification combined with OPLL was rarely observed in children. Conservative management was carried out and the patients had a full recovery. Our experience suggests that the conservative treatment is an acceptable method.
authors: Department of Orthopedics, Xijing Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China.
authors: Jun-Jie
authors: JJ
authors: Du
authors: Hao
authors: H
authors: Meng
authors: Yan-Jie
authors: YJ
authors: Cao
authors: Fu-Qing
authors: FQ
authors: Li
authors: Zhuo-Jing
authors: ZJ
authors: Luo
mesh_terms: D002114:Calcinosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007403:Intervertebral Disc / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D017846:Longitudinal Ligaments / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D011859:Radiography