title: Surgical treatment for idiopathic intervertebral disc calcification in a child: case report and review of the literature.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Intervertebral disc calcification (IDC) is rare in children. Conservative treatment has been recommended for the majority of cases. We describe surgical treatment of a case of IDC with progressive neurological impairment and review the literature relevant to this rare entity and its management.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 16-year-old boy presented with sudden onset of severe neck pain, radiating into his left shoulder. Three months later, he developed neurological symptoms and signs with a progressive motor and sensory loss of his left upper limb.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Anterior cervical corpectomy with fusion and instrumentation was performed. Neurologic deficits completely resolved within 1 week. After 1-year follow-up, radiological images showed solid fusion and no further compression.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Surgical decompression should be recommended for cases with acutely progressive and severe neurological impairments in IDC and a good result can be obtained. When surgery is needed, anterior decompression is usually used in cervical lesion, while in thoracic and lumbar area, posterior approach is suggested.
authors.affiliation: Department of Spine Surgery, Hefei Binhu Hospital, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, 230601, China.
authors.forename: Jianjun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Chu
authors.forename: Tao
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Shaobao
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pei
authors.forename: Zongsheng
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Yin
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002114:Calcinosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000601:surgery*; D019299:Decompression, Surgical / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007403:Intervertebral Disc / Q000601:surgery*; D055959:Intervertebral Disc Degeneration / Q000150:complications* / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male