Study design: This is a report of an unusual case of very late onset, symptomatic, round calcifying nucleopathy.
Objective: To describe this unusual case of calcifying nucleopathy in a 77-year-old man who had no previous back problems, but had a history of diffuse skeletal hyperostosis.
Summary of background data: The resorption of calcifying nucleopathy associated with reactional spondylitis is a classic occurrence in children but is rare in adults.
Methods and results: Spondylitis was diagnosed on the basis of pain, a transient Babinski's sign, and systemic inflammation. Radiographs, a bone scan, and magnetic resonance imaging revealed a large calcified nucleopathy of the T12-L1 disc associated with spondylitis of T12. The calcification disappeared within 3 weeks, and recovery was clinically and biologically complete after treatment consisting of only rest and analgesics.
Conclusion: A diagnosis of resorption of a round calcifying nucleopathy is not to be excluded in the elderly patient. This event can mimic an infectious spondylitis clinically and biologically.