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[Paediatric intervertebral calcifications: two cases report and review of the literature]
G Harvet1, L De Pontual, B Neven
1Service de pédiatrie, hôpital Jean-Verdier, assistance publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, avenue du 14-Juillet, 93143 Bondy, France.
Insights
Childhood discal calcification, though rare, can cause low back pain. CT scans revealed posterolateral calcified disc herniation in two pediatric patients, indicating a need for prompt diagnosis and potential intervention.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Radiology
- Orthopedic Surgery
- Diagnostic Imaging
Background:
- Intervertebral disc calcification is uncommon in children, typically affecting the nucleus pulposus.
- Calcifications are often incidental findings during routine examinations.
- Limited literature exists on calcified disc herniations in pediatric populations.
Observation:
- Two pediatric cases (ages 5 and 7) presented with acute low back pain.
- Computed Tomography (CT) scans identified posterolateral calcified disc herniation in both patients.
- Clinical symptoms included pain and functional limitation.
Findings:
- Radiographic findings showed disc calcifications with associated vertebral body alterations.
- Posterolateral herniation of calcified disc material was confirmed.
- This presentation is rare, with few previously described cases.
Implications:
- Early diagnosis of pediatric disc herniation is crucial.
- Imaging, particularly CT, plays a key role in identifying calcified herniations.
- Surgical decompression may be necessary for nerve root impingement.
Unlabelled:
Discal calcification in childhood is rare. Calcifications are occasionally discovered during routine examinations. Generally, the calcification process is confined to the nucleus pulposus of the intervertebral disc.
Cases Report:
We describe the cases of two children, five and seven years old who presented with acute low back pain. The patients underwent a CT scan, which demonstrated a posterolateral calcified disc hernia.
Discussion:
Only a few cases with evidence of calcification of the herniated portion of the disc have been previously described. The clinical picture is composed of pain and functional limitation. The radiographic picture consists of the association of morphological and structural alterations of vertebral bodies adjacent to one or more disc calcifications usually centrally sited, sometimes associated with anterior or posterior herniations. The surgical decompression of the nerve root could be necessary.
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