Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 8, 2026

Ovine Lumbar Intervertebral Disc Degeneration Model Utilizing a Lateral Retroperitoneal Drill Bit Injury
07:25

Ovine Lumbar Intervertebral Disc Degeneration Model Utilizing a Lateral Retroperitoneal Drill Bit Injury

Published on: May 25, 2017

Calcification of intervertebral discs in childhood

H M Swick

    The Journal of Pediatrics
    |March 1, 1975
    PubMed

    Insights

    Intervertebral disc calcification is a rare childhood condition often overlooked in back pain diagnoses. This study details two surgical cases, highlighting unique histologic findings and differentiating it from other spinal conditions.

    Area of Science:

    • Pediatric Orthopedics
    • Spinal Pathology
    • Medical Histology

    Background:

    • Intervertebral disc calcification (IDC) in children is infrequently reported.
    • IDC is often not considered in the differential diagnosis for pediatric back pain.
    • Over 75 cases of childhood IDC have been documented.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To report two pediatric cases of IDC requiring surgical intervention.
    • To describe the previously undocumented histologic changes associated with IDC.
    • To differentiate IDC from other causes of spinal calcification and spondylarthritis.

    Main Methods:

    • Case report of two pediatric patients with IDC.
    • Surgical intervention and subsequent histological analysis of affected intervertebral discs.
    • Clinical and pathological comparison with other spinal conditions.

    Main Results:

    • Two children underwent surgery for symptomatic IDC.
    • Histologic examination revealed amorphous calcification within the nucleus pulposus.
    • No inflammatory reaction was observed in the affected discs.
    • Distinct clinical and pathological features differentiate this condition from other calcified disc disorders.

    Conclusions:

    • IDC is a rare but significant cause of pediatric back pain.
    • The histologic findings of amorphous calcification without inflammation are characteristic of IDC.
    • IDC can be clinically and pathologically distinguished from other spinal pathologies, including spondylarthritis.

    More Related Videos

    A Mouse Model of Lumbar Spine Instability05:28

    A Mouse Model of Lumbar Spine Instability

    Published on: April 23, 2021

    Optical Sectioning and Visualization of the Intervertebral Disc from Embryonic Development to Degeneration06:22

    Optical Sectioning and Visualization of the Intervertebral Disc from Embryonic Development to Degeneration

    Published on: July 8, 2021

    Related Concept Videos

    Vertebral Column: Regions and Curvature01:16

    Vertebral Column: Regions and Curvature

    The vertebral column or spine is a flexible column that supports the head, neck, and body and  allows for their movements. It also protects the spinal cord.
    Regions of the Vertebral Column
    In an adult, the spine is subdivided into five regions: the cervical, the thoracic, the lumbar, the sacral, and the coccygeal region. The spine initially develops as a series of 33 vertebrae; after 20 years of age, the nine bones in the sacral region, five sacral, and four coccygeal bones fuse to form the...
    Changes in the Appendicular Skeleton with Age01:09

    Changes in the Appendicular Skeleton with Age

    The upper and lower limb initially develops as a small bulge called a limb bud, which appears on the lateral side of the early embryo. The upper limb bud appears near the end of the fourth week of development, with the lower limb bud appearing shortly after.
    Initially, the limb buds consist of a core of mesenchyme covered by a layer of ectoderm. The ectoderm at the end of the limb bud thickens to form a narrow crest called the apical ectodermal ridge. This ridge stimulates the underlying...
    Bone Formation by Endochondral Ossification01:24

    Bone Formation by Endochondral Ossification

    Bone formation, or ossification, begins around the sixth to seventh week of embryonic development. Most bones develop from a cartilaginous template through the process of endochondral ossification. Cartilage formation begins when clusters of mesenchymal cells differentiate into chondrocytes. These chondrocytes proliferate rapidly and secrete an extracellular matrix that becomes encased in a membrane called the perichondrium. The resulting cartilage model provides a template that resembles the...
    Herniated Intervertebral Disc l: Introduction01:29

    Herniated Intervertebral Disc l: Introduction

    Intervertebral disc herniation refers to the displacement of the nucleus pulposus (the gel-like inner core of the disc) through a tear or weakened area in the annulus fibrosus (the outer fibrous ring). The displaced disc material extends beyond the normal boundaries of the disc space and may compress or irritate nearby spinal nerve roots or, less commonly, the spinal cord.Etiology and Risk FactorsHerniation commonly results from degeneration, in which aging reduces disc hydration and...
    Degenerative Disc Disease I: Introduction01:27

    Degenerative Disc Disease I: Introduction

    Degenerative disc disease is a chronic condition in which intervertebral discs gradually lose structure and function. It is not infectious or autoimmune; rather, it results from age-related biochemical and mechanical changes, influenced by genetic, metabolic, and environmental factors.Structure and Function of DiscsThe spine contains 23 intervertebral discs that absorb load, distribute forces, maintain spacing, and allow flexibility. Each disc consists of a nucleus pulposus, a gel-like core...
    Degenerative Disc Disease ll: Pathophysiology01:23

    Degenerative Disc Disease ll: Pathophysiology

    The symptoms of degenerative disc disease arise from a combination of mechanical compression, vascular compromise, and biochemical inflammation, which together disrupt nerve function and produce pain.Mechanical CompressionDisc degeneration reduces height and elasticity, predisposing to herniation of the nucleus pulposus, a major cause of radicular pain. Herniations may be protrusion (bulging with intact annulus), extrusion (nucleus extends beyond disc but remains connected), or sequestration...