https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6463-4796
A 75-year-old male with degenerative joint disease status-post T12-L5 fusion five years ago presented with new-onset left lower extremity weakness. He denied any sensory abnormalities, saddle anaesthesia, or dysfunction of the bladder or bowels. Physical examination was notable for 2/5 left quadriceps and gastrocnemius strength, compared with 5/5 on the right side. CT scan shows erosion and sclerosis of the T10 and T11 end plates with gas within the disk space, consistent with Charcot spinal neuroarthropathy (Fig. 1A). Due to the persistent neurological deficits, the epidural mass was resected and a dural patch graft was placed. Histopathology revealed fibrocartilaginous tissue fragments with degenerative changes and deposition of positively birefringent crystals consistent with calcium pyrophosphate deposition disease (CPPD) (Fig. 1B). One month after resection, the patient’s lower extremity weakness had fully resolved. CPPD can mimic many joint pathologies, including gout and osteoarthritis, in atypical locations. In this case, the radiographic appearance of destruction, debris, distention, disorganization, and density changes resembled Charcot neuroarthropathy but in an unexpected location without the typical antecedent sensory neuropathy [1]. This case illustrates that, when radiographic evidence seems to contradict clinical signs and symptoms of joint disease, clinicians should reserve a high index of suspicion for CPPD [2]. Informed consent has been obtained.
CPPD mimicking spinal neuroarthropathy. (A) Thoracic CT sagittal view. Osseous erosions and sclerosis of the endplate of T10 and the superior endplate of T11 with gas within the disc space. The white arrow points to the epidural mass. (B) A still image of a video demonstrating positively birefringent crystals under polarized microscopy within the resected epidural mass. The full video is available in Supplementary Data S1, available at Rheumatology online
Supplementary material
Supplementary material is available at Rheumatology online.
Data availability
Data are available upon reasonable request by any qualified researchers who engage in rigorous, independent scientific research, and will be provided following review and approval of a research proposal and Statistical Analysis Plan (SAP) and execution of a Data Sharing Agreement (DSA). All data relevant to the study are included in the article.
Funding
No specific funding was received from any bodies in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sectors to carry out the work described in this article.
Disclosure statement: The authors have declared no conflicts of interest.
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