Article Text
Abstract
Calcium pyrophosphate deposition (CPPD) disease is a crystal arthropathy primarily affecting peripheral joints, most commonly the wrist and the knees. However, CPPD in the cervical spine is a rare entity. This report describes a case of CPPD of the cervical spine which presents with symptoms of neck pain and brachalgia. A 62-year-old woman presented with left-sided upper limb and neck pain. MRI scanning revealed a low signal abnormality within the C6 and C7 vertebrae, and the possibility of lymphoma was raised. The patient was recalled for gadolinium-enhanced scans which showed perivertebral and marrow enhancement. Fine-needle aspirate histology initially suggested a spindle cell tumour or lymphoma. However, CT-guided biopsy showed positively birefringent crystals, confirming CPPD. CPPD of the spine is a rare differential of nerve impingement in the cervical spine when MRI scanning perivertebral signal enhancement. Furthermore, CPPD of the spine can mimic malignancy.
- neuroimaging
- radiology
- rheumatology
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Footnotes
Contributors ST: wrote and edited the paper. MT: reviewed and edited the paper. LS: edited the paper, provided images. BS: edited and oversaw the overall manuscript.
Funding The authors have not declared a specific grant for this research from any funding agency in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sectors.
Competing interests None declared.
Patient consent for publication Obtained.
Provenance and peer review Not commissioned; externally peer reviewed.