Description

A 42 year old female, known case of Lupus nephritis with post renal transplant status since 2 years was admitted with complaints of chronic neck, back and right shoulder pain, which was stabbing in nature. She had on and off pain for which she was being managed on OPD basis since 1 year. However, her pain has aggravated in past 1 week. Radiological imaging of cervical spine showed area of calcification in anterior aspect of C4-C5 vertebrae in lateral view.

After taking a detailed history, it was revealed that patient had a Staphylococcus epidermidis infection in haemodialysis catheter which was inserted in right Internal Jugular vein during her hospital stay 2 years back. Patient was managed conservatively and was discharged 3 days later on oral medications.

Dystrophic calcification is deposition of calcium salt in degenerated tissues with absence of systemic mineral imbalance. Atherosclerosis is the common etiology for calcification in vessels, whereas vascular calcification due to infection hasn’t been reported in English literature to the best of our knowledge. Chronic venous insufficiency, calcification in relation to connective tissue diseases, tumoral calcinosis are the few other differential diagnosis which should be considered.

Figure 1: Calcification in anterior aspect of C4-C5 Vertebrae in lateral view.