title: [Pediatric intervertebral disc calcification: A rare cause of acquired torticollis. Case report].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Pain and cervical muscle spasm are common reasons why parents bring children to the pediatric emergency department. The first steps are the gathering of medical history of the patient and a physical examination. If musculoskeletal damage is suspected, cervical spine x-rays should be obtained. An intervertebral disc calcification finding, in the absence of other radiological lesions should suggest pediatric intervertebral disc calcification.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To present a case of intervertebral disc calcification, a rare condition that must be considered in the differential diagnosis of torticollis and neck pain in childhood.
  
  
  METHODS
  A seven-year-old male patient without morbid history and no history of trauma or rough sport practice. He consulted the emergency room for pain and cervical contracture for the last six days. C reactive protein and red cell sedimentatio rates were slightly elevated. Imaging studies showed calcification of the C5-C6 intrvertebral disc and anterior disc protrusion. The patient was hospitalized for evaluation and pain management, with good clinical response and continue afterwards with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and a soft collar. At the 6-month-follow up, the patient had resolved symptoms and calcifications.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Pediatric intervertebral disc calcification is a rare cause of acquired torticollis, with a benign and self-limited outcome. Conservative management, as well as clinical and imaging follow-up is recommended.
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Traumatología Infantil, Clínica Alemana, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad del Desarrollo, Santiago de Chile, Chile. Electronic address: yerkocuevas@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Yerko
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Cuevas
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Pediatría, Clínica Alemana, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad del Desarrollo, Santiago de Chile, Chile.
authors.forename: Luisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Schonhaut
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Radiología, Clínica Alemana, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad del Desarrollo, Santiago de Chile, Chile.
authors.forename: Aníbal
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Espinoza
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Radiología, Clínica Alemana, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad del Desarrollo, Santiago de Chile, Chile.
authors.forename: Valeria
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Schonstedt
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Pediatría, Clínica Alemana, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad del Desarrollo, Santiago de Chile, Chile.
authors.forename: Alejandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Aird
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Radiología, Clínica Alemana, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad del Desarrollo, Santiago de Chile, Chile.
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Castoldi
mesh_terms: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002114:Calcinosis / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000473:pathology; D002648:Child; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007403:Intervertebral Disc / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D019547:Neck Pain / Q000209:etiology; D014103:Torticollis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal
keywords: Calcificación; Calcification; Disc pathology; Disco inervertebral; Discopatía; Intervertebral disc; Torticollis; Tortícolis