A Case of Crowned Dens Syndrome with Huge Calcifications

An 81-year-old woman presented to our hospital with a 1-month history of headache and neck pain. She had no neurological symptoms, articulation disorder, or swallowing disorder. The plain radiograph showed calcification deposits around the atlantoaxial joint and anterior vertebral body (Figure 1). The computed tomography scan of her neck showed details of these calcifications (Figures 2-4). Huge crownshaped deposits of hydroxyapatite or calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate were seen. The C-reactive protein level was slightly increased to 0.78 mg/dL. Oral non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) therapy resulted in complete improvement of her symptoms.