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Severe headache complicated by vertical atlantoaxial subluxation in diffuse systemic sclerosis with crowned dens pattern calcification

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Abstract

We report a 34-year-old female case of diffuse systemic sclerosis (SSc) with generalized ectopic calcification, who developed severe headache with vertical atlantoaxial subluxation (AAS) complicated by calcification around the odontoid process (crowned dens pattern calcification). Although a rare complication, AAS should be considered as a differential diagnosis of severe headache in SSc patients with extensive calcification.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Rheumatology, Tokyo Medical University Hospital, Tokyo, Japan

    Aki Shoji, Koichiro Tahara, Haeru Hayashi, Soichiro Tsuji, Eri Kimura & Tetsuji Sawada

  2. Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Tokyo Medical University Hospital, Tokyo, Japan

    Kengo Yamamoto

  3. Department of Diabetology, Metabolism and Endocrinology, Tokyo Medical University Hospital, Tokyo, Japan

    Masato Odawara

Authors
  1. Aki Shoji
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  2. Koichiro Tahara
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  3. Haeru Hayashi
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  4. Soichiro Tsuji
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  5. Eri Kimura
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  6. Kengo Yamamoto
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  7. Masato Odawara
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  8. Tetsuji Sawada
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Correspondence to Tetsuji Sawada.

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Shoji, A., Tahara, K., Hayashi, H. et al. Severe headache complicated by vertical atlantoaxial subluxation in diffuse systemic sclerosis with crowned dens pattern calcification. Rheumatol Int 31, 1247–1250 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00296-010-1703-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00296-010-1703-z

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