ABSTRACT
Crowned dens syndrome (CDS) is a pseudogout of the cervical vertebra, which shows calcification around the dens of the axis. We report a case of CDS that was successfully treated with daiobotampito and shimotsuto. An 83-year-old woman visited our clinic because of neck pain. She was diagnosed with CDS and was initially administered daiobotampito and eppikajutsuto. Her neck pain improved slightly, but recurred. She was then administered daiobotampito and shimotsuto, after which her neck pain disappeared. We considered that daiobotampito and shimotsuto were effective for this prolonged illness based on persistent stasis and blood deficiency according to her treatment course and laboratory findings.
ABSTRACT
Resumen Las enfermedades por depósito de cristales de pirofostato dehidratado de calcio o hidroxiapatita se pueden manifestar en cualquier articulación, y cuando se acumulan en la columna cervical pueden ser causa de dolor. El síndrome de la apófisis odontoides coronada es una rara condición clínica que se presenta por calcificación, en forma de corona, de los ligamentos que rodean a la apófisis odontoides. Se presenta el caso de un hombre de 70 años, con una semana de cervicalgia, cefalea y fiebre, que ingresó por sospecha de patología neurológica. Se realizó tomografía computarizada (TC) de cráneo que documentó calificaciones lentiformes del ligamento transverso del atlas. Se instauró manejo con corticoides y antiinflamatorios no esteroideos con mejoría. Una adecuada anamnesis junto con estudio por imagen evita procedimientos innecesarios y permite incluir esta entidad en el diagnóstico diferencial del dolor cervical agudo.
Abstract The calcium pyrophosphate dehydrate (CPPD) or hydroxyapatite (HA) crystal deposition disease can appear in any joint and the accumulation fo crystals in the cervical spine may be painful. Crowned dens syndrome is a rare clinical condition that involves crown-like calcification of the ligaments around the odontoid process. A 70-year-old man presented cervical pain, fever and a headache for over a week, therefore, a neurological condition was suspected. A CT scan revealed lentiform calcifications of the transverse ligament of the atlas. Steroid treatment and a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory diminished the symptoms. A proper clinical history and imaging studies avoid unnecessary procedures and makes it possible to include this entity as a differential diagnosis in acute cervical pain.
ABSTRACT
Crowned dens syndrome is a type of pseudogout that occurs in the elderly. It is associated with calcification around the dens of the atlas and can cause recurrent pain. We report successful treatment for crowned dens syndrome by using Kampo medicine. An 85-year-old woman was seen in our clinic after 3 days of neck pain and active exercise pain without trigger. Physical examination revealed tenderness in the bilateral upper cervical spine. Computed tomography (CT) revealed calcifications around the dens of the atlas and blood test data showed inflammatory reaction. Thus, she was diagnosed with crowned dens syndrome. In view of her medical history of gastric ulcer treatment, we prescribed Kampo medicine eppikajutsuto and daiobotampito, instead of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs. The cervical pain and tenderness in her bilateral upper cervical spine disappeared, and her laboratory data also improved 6 days after treatment without side effects. Thus, her medications were discontinued.
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Odontoid process is a bony projection of axis around which the atlas rotates. It measures 1 to 1.25 cms in length and projects upwards from the body of Axis. An elongated odontoid process may narrow the foramen magnum causing compressive neurological symptoms. It can cause cervical stiffness, serious restrictions of neck movement, and even a bone-derived torticollis. Observation: During routine osteology classes, we encountered an Axis vertebra with an elongated odontoid process. The measurements of the elongated odontoid process were taken using digital Vernier slide calipers. Conclusion: Elongated odontoid process can be mistaken for fracture of dens in radiological images; hence the knowledge of elongated odontoid process is useful for the radiologists, neurosurgeons and orthopaedicians for accurate diagnosis and treatment involving cranio-vertebral junctions.
ABSTRACT
Patients with Crowned dens syndrome typically present with severe neck pain and have calcification around the axial odontoid process on radiographs. To our knowledge, Crowned dens syndrome is unreported in the Korean literature and the clinical features remain unclear. We present Crowned dens syndrome as a cause of acute cervical pain and review the literature.