Tumoral calcinosis in the upper cervical spine - A case report

Study Design. An elderly women with tumoral calcinosis between the C1 posterior arch and the C2 lamina is reported. Objectives. To describe a rare occurrence of tumoral calcinosis in the spine and discuss its pathomechanism. Summary of Background Data. Tumoral calcinosis is a rare condition occurring predominantly in the juxta-articular regions of the extremities. Involvement of the spine has been reported in only one case in the lumbar spine. The calcium phosphate crystals that have been identified are those of hydroxyapatite. Methods. The calcified material was removed, and its crystalline phase was analyzed. Results. Neck pain was relieved by removal of the calcified material. Scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive x-ray microanalysis revealed that the material consisted of crystals of calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate. Conclusions. Tumoral calcinosis should be included among the clinical presentations of calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate crystal deposition disease.