Intervertebral Disc Calcification

Sagittal-reformatted CT image of the lower thoracic spine shows a central disc calcification. Several levels of endplate changes are noted as well.

Commonly Found in Elderly

• Found in 80% of elderly cadavers in a large study
• Mostly located in the periphery of the disc (annulus fibrosus), followed by central and diffuse
• Mostly in lower thoracic spine, followed by midthoracic and lumbar spine
• Increase in prevalence with increasing age

Differential Diagnosis

• Degenerative disc
• Postoperative, post-traumatic
• Arthritis: ankylosing spondylitis, CPPD, gout
• Metabolic disease: ochronosis, hemochromatosis, hypervitaminosis D

Reference:

Chanchairujira K, Chung CB, Kim JY, et al. Intervertebral disk calcification of the spine in an elderly population: radiographic prevalence, location, and distribution and correlation with spinal degeneration. Radiology 2004;230:499-503.