The crowned dens syndrome as a cause of neck pain

Description: Neck pain due to calcifications surrounding the odontoid process were described by Bouvet et al in 1985 and termed crowned dens syndrome (CDS) ([11]). They described 4 women who experienced neck pain and underwent tomographic examination revealing radioopaque densities surrounding the top and sides of the odontoid process in a crown- or halo-like distribution. It was postulated that the crowned dens deposits could be attributed to hydroxyapatite crystals as well as CPPD crystals. Here, we present 2 additional cases of severe neck pain associated with CDS: the first case mimicking metastatic bone disease of the cervical spine, and the second case mimicking temporal arteritis.
The crowned dens syndrome as a cause of neck pain: report of two new cases and review of the literature. Wu DW, Reginato AJ, Torriani M, Robinson DR, Reginato AM. Arthritis Rheum. 2005 Feb 15;53(1):133-7. Full text