Severe headache complicated by vertical atlantoaxial subluxation in diffuse systemic sclerosis with crowned dens pattern calcification

Aki Shoji; Koichiro Tahara; Haeru Hayashi; Soichiro Tsuji; Eri Kimura; Kengo Yamamoto; Masato Odawara; Tetsuji Sawada

doi:10.1007/s00296-010-1703-z

Severe headache complicated by vertical atlantoaxial subluxation in diffuse systemic sclerosis with crowned dens pattern calcification

Rheumatol Int. 2011 Sep;31(9):1247-50. doi: 10.1007/s00296-010-1703-z. Epub 2010 Dec 4.

Authors

Aki Shoji¹, Koichiro Tahara, Haeru Hayashi, Soichiro Tsuji, Eri Kimura, Kengo Yamamoto, Masato Odawara, Tetsuji Sawada

Affiliation

¹ Department of Rheumatology, Tokyo Medical University Hospital, Tokyo, Japan.

PMID: 21132300
DOI: 10.1007/s00296-010-1703-z

Abstract

We report a 34-year-old female case of diffuse systemic sclerosis (SSc) with generalized ectopic calcification, who developed severe headache with vertical atlantoaxial subluxation (AAS) complicated by calcification around the odontoid process (crowned dens pattern calcification). Although a rare complication, AAS should be considered as a differential diagnosis of severe headache in SSc patients with extensive calcification.

Publication types

Case Reports

MeSH terms

Adult
Atlanto-Axial Joint / diagnostic imaging*
Atlanto-Axial Joint / injuries
Calcinosis / diagnostic imaging
Cervical Vertebrae / diagnostic imaging
Cervical Vertebrae / surgery
Female
Headache / diagnostic imaging*
Headache / etiology
Humans
Joint Dislocations / diagnosis*
Joint Dislocations / diagnostic imaging
Joint Dislocations / etiology
Lung Diseases / diagnostic imaging
Odontoid Process / diagnostic imaging*
Odontoid Process / surgery
Radiography
Scleroderma, Diffuse / complications
Scleroderma, Diffuse / diagnostic imaging*
Severity of Illness Index
Traction
Treatment Outcome