Cervical spine and crystal-associated diseases: imaging findings

Eur Radiol. 2006 Feb;16(2):459-68. doi: 10.1007/s00330-005-2776-z. Epub 2005 Apr 23.

Abstract

The cervical spine may be specifically involved in crystal-associated arthropathies. In this article, we focus on the three common crystals and diseases: hydroxyapatite crystal deposition disease, calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate (CPPD) deposition disease, and monosodium urate crystals (gout). The cervical involvement in crystal-associated diseases may provoke a misleading clinical presentation with acute neck pain, fever, or neurological symptoms. Imaging allows an accurate diagnosis in typical cases with calcific deposits and destructive lesions of the discs and joints. Most of the cases are related to CPPD or hydroxyapatite crystal deposition; gout is much less common.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Calcinosis / diagnosis*
  • Calcium Pyrophosphate / analysis*
  • Cartilage, Articular / pathology
  • Cervical Vertebrae / pathology*
  • Child
  • Chondrocalcinosis / pathology
  • Crystallization*
  • Durapatite / analysis*
  • Female
  • Gout / diagnosis*
  • Humans
  • Image Processing, Computer-Assisted*
  • Intervertebral Disc / pathology
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neck Pain / etiology*
  • Odontoid Process / pathology
  • Spondylitis / diagnosis*
  • Spondylitis / etiology
  • Synovial Fluid / chemistry
  • Tendinopathy / pathology
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed*
  • Uric Acid / analysis*

Substances

  • Uric Acid
  • Durapatite
  • Calcium Pyrophosphate