Turkish Journal of
GERIATRICS

¹Saygı Hastanesi Fiziksel Tıp ve Rehabilitasyon KliniÄŸi Ä°STANBUL
²Ä°stanbul Ãœniversitesi CerrahpaÅŸa Tıp Fakültesi Fiziksel Tıp ve Rehabilitasyon Anabilim Dalı Ä°STANBUL
³Millet Hastanesi Fiziksel Tıp ve Rehabilitasyon KliniÄŸi Ä°STANBUL Chondrocalcinosis or intervertebral disc calcification (IDC) denotes a deposition of hydroxyapatite or calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate crystals within annulus fibrosus and/or nucleus pulposus of the disc. The prevalence of IDC increases with age and extent of disc space loss. An 80-year-old female that was referred to us due to back pain complaint had diffuse calcification of the thoracic intervertebral discs on her plain x-rays (AP, lateral). In the light of laboratory and clinical tests results, the patient was diagnosed as a case of IDC and degenerative disc disease. Although IDC may accompany some systemic diseases and immobilization, it is probable that the main common factors are aging and degeneration of the intervertebral disc in elderly patients. Keywords : Intervertebral disc calcification, Chondrocalcinosis, Intervertebral disc degeneration