Highlights
- •The diagnosis for tumoral calcinosis remains challenging and a high index of suspicion, together with neuro imaging, can aid the surgeon in determining this diagnosis.
- •Intra-operative visualization of the pathology, as well as permanent pathology reports, is a good adjunct to confirming the diagnosis.
- •While its occurrence remains rare, the true incidence is not known and may be higher than current estimates due to wide prevalence of degenerative spine disease.
Abstract
Background
Tumoral calcinosis has been defined as a pathological condition which presents as
calcified masses around juxta-articular structures. The etiology of this pathology
is still not well understood but degenerative spine diseases seem to play a role.
The diagnosis of tumoral calcinosis preoperatively can prevent intraoperative confusion
from unexpected findings, especially in cases where removal of the calcified mass
is essential to treating the patient’s symptoms, i.e. nerve compression causing radiculopathy.
Case description
We present two cases of patients who presented with spinal radiculopathy and mechanical
pain. Both patients were found to have a calcified facet joint mass and underwent
surgical resection of the mass combined with spinal fusion resulting in excellent
symptom relief post-surgery.
Conclusion
For accurate diagnosis and management of tumoral calcinosis, a high index of suspicion
together with neuro imaging remains a good place to start. Intra-operative visualization
of the pathology as well as permanent pathology reports is a good adjunct to confirming
the diagnosis.
Keywords
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References
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: January 03, 2019
Accepted:
December 23,
2018
Received:
November 5,
2018
Identification
Copyright
© 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
