Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 9, 2026

Optical Sectioning and Visualization of the Intervertebral Disc from Embryonic Development to Degeneration
06:22

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

Published on: July 8, 2021

Idiopathic intervertebral disc calcification in childhood: an atypical case of an uncommon entity for pediatric

Dina El Demellawy1, Jacob G Robison, Ian F Pollack

  • 11  Division of Pediatric Pathology, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15224, USA.

Pediatric and Developmental Pathology : the Official Journal of the Society for Pediatric Pathology and the Paediatric Pathology Society
|August 2, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Intervertebral disc calcification is common in adults but rare in children. This study details a pediatric case with an inflammatory retropharyngeal mass, highlighting rare histological features of pediatric disc calcification.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Pathology
  • Radiology
  • Surgical Pathology

Background:

  • Intervertebral disc calcification is a frequent finding in adults but an uncommon condition in pediatric populations.
  • While radiological and clinical aspects of pediatric disc calcification are documented, histological data remain scarce.
  • This scarcity presents diagnostic challenges for surgical pathologists encountering such cases.

Observation:

  • A case study of a pediatric patient presenting with an inflammatory retropharyngeal mass is described.
  • The mass was found to originate from a calcified intervertebral disc.
  • Detailed pathological examination of this rare presentation was performed.

Findings:

  • The study provides a comprehensive description of the histological features observed in the pediatric patient.
  • Pathogenic considerations related to intervertebral disc calcification in children are discussed.
  • A review of existing English literature on the pathological aspects of this condition is included.

Implications:

  • This work aims to bridge the knowledge gap regarding the histological characteristics of pediatric intervertebral disc calcification.
  • It offers valuable insights for surgical pathologists in diagnosing and managing similar rare pediatric cases.
  • Understanding these features can improve diagnostic accuracy and inform potential treatment strategies for pediatric disc calcification.

More Related Videos

Calcification of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells and Imaging of Aortic Calcification and Inflammation08:43

Calcification of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells and Imaging of Aortic Calcification and Inflammation

Published on: May 31, 2016

Related Concept Videos

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...
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...
Urinary Tract Calculi II: Pathophysiology and Clinical Manifestations01:26

Urinary Tract Calculi II: Pathophysiology and Clinical Manifestations

Renal calculi, commonly termed kidney stones, are crystalline solid masses that form in the kidneys but can occur at any point within the urinary system, encompassing the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra.The pathophysiology of renal stones involves several key factors: supersaturation of the urine with stone-forming constituents, changes in urine pH, a decrease in urine volume, and the presence of substances that promote or inhibit stone formation.Supersaturation of Urine: This is the...