Cervicothoracic intradural intramedullary deposition of calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate crystal: a tumor-mimicking lesion, case report and literature review

Abstract Background Calcium pyrophosphate deposition (CPPD) disease usually affects peripheral joints in older adults, whereas spinal involvement is rare and intramedullary cases have not been reported. We describe a unique case of intramedullary spinal pseudogout mimicking a tumor. Case presentation A 59-year-old woman presented with chronic cervicothoracic pain. MRI revealed an intramedullary lesion at C7–T2, initially suspected to be a low-grade glioma. Surgical biopsy, however, demonstrated