Extract
Tumoral calcinosis is characterized by tumor-like periarticular
deposits of calcium, and it commonly presents as a growing calcific mass in
the soft tissue surrounding major
joints1-6.
It may be associated with bone erosion and destruction and may have a mass
effect on neurovascular
structures7-9.
Tumoral calcinosis can be a component of CREST syndrome, an acronym for
calcinosis, Raynaud phenomenon, esophageal dysmotility, sclerodactyly, and
telangiectasia.Spinal and paraspinal tumoral calcinosis has been reported to involve both
the vertebral bodies and the posterior elements of the cervical, thoracic, and
lumbar
spine6,10-18.
To our knowledge, tumoral calcinosis of the cervical spine as a component of
CREST syndrome has been reported in only three
patients7,8,10.
The diagnosis of tumoral calcinosis in the spine is difficult because of its
rarity and its ability to mimic a neoplasm or infectious
cause6,14,16,19.
Neurologic deficits by mass effect can occur and may manifest as radiculopathy
and/or
myelopathy7-10,18.
Moreover, it has been shown that tumoral calcinosis of the spine has presented
diagnostic dilemmas to clinicians, radiologists, and pathologists because of a
lack of familiarity with the
entity16.