Spinal cord compression by ectopic calcinosis in scleroderma

I.V.S. Lima, L.A. Galrão, T.S.L. Maia, M.B. Santiago

Escola de Medicina e Saúde Pública da Bahia/Núcleo de Reumatologia da Bahia, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil.

ABSTRACT
Systemic sclerosis (SS) is a chronic, multisystemic disease, characterized by inflammation associated with fibrosis. Calcinosis is one of the manifestations of this disorder, observed in 10 to 20% of cases. It is usually located on the extensor surface of the phalanges, peri-articular tissue and near the bone prominences. There are only a few cases reported of SS with vertebral column involvement and spinal cord compression by calcinosis causing serious neurological complications. We describe a fatal case of SS who showed tetraplegia secondary to ectopic calcinosis in the cervical medulla and present a review of the literature on the subject.

Key words
Scleroderma, calcinosis, spinal cord compression.

Please address correspondence to: Prof. Mittermayer B. Santiago, MD, Rua Altino Seberto de Barros 345/302 Itaigara, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil CEP 41.840-020.
E-mail: mitter@svn.com.br

Clin Exp Rheumatol 2005; 23: 704-706.
© CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL RHEUMATOLOGY 2005.