Nuchal Tendon Occification/Calcification

Welcome to Connect, @wendallzmom.
You posted perfectly. However, I moved your message to the Bones, Joints & Muscles because I think you may have a better chance connecting with others who may have some thoughts about the mass you've found on your nuchal ligament. To start, I'm tagging @JustinMcClanahan @sandytoes14 and @jenapower to see if they may have some thoughts to add.

Wendallzmom, does the mass cause any pain?

Thank you very much for your help!

The mass feels hard like a bone feels. And the mass itself has no pain. It just wreaks havoc to the muscles and spine around it.

This is taken from last PT appt.

PALPATION: The patient was tender to palpation over bilateral interscapular musculature, bilateral suboccipital, sternocleidomastoid, scalene, upper trapezius, and levator scapula musculature. There does appear to be a palpable abnormality with springing over the lower cervical spine. <end>

I am attaching a couple pictures to give you an visual idea of what I'm talking about. The pictures of the two rocks and a dime are the size of the mass when it started out 3 years ago and the size and shape it is now. The one with the red line is where the mass is located and it springs back and forth, from front to back between those two vertebrae. And the last pictures are some of the worst swelling I've had in my neck and back.

Hope this helps.

I have a similar mass that was detected on an ultrasound while in the upright position; however, an MRI while lying down didn’t show the mass and only came back with a “thickening of nuchal ligament.”

Have you had any progress in your diagnosis?

Hello @gina111, welcome to Connect. While we wait for others to jump back in on this discussion, would you mind sharing a bit more information? Did your provider discuss what this diagnosis means? Is the mass painful?

@JustinMcClanahan
I am still in the process of being bounced around since the ultrasound in June. The latest was an appointment with a neurosurgeon that has referred me to Ochsner in New Orleans. I was contacted by Ochsner and have yet again been bounced between neurology and oncology, with no appointment set to date. Frustrating. The pain has increased, especially at night. The pain is in the is left side of my neck, radiating mainly into my left scapula and trapezius, with some pain radiating down the left arm leaving the arm feeling very fatigued. Range of motion in the neck is limited, especially to the left and backward extension. I will attach photos I have of the ultrasound and MRI.

As with the original lady that posted, the mass is very hard and was clearly visible on ultrasound that was conducted while sitting up this, weight load bearing. The MRI was performed while supine. @@

Hi All,

I have the exact same thing, mine “came out” December 2018 with low grade fevers, face rash (nose and cheeks) malaise, headaches, fatigue, B-12 deficiency and 30lbs of unintended weight loss. I’ve seen neurologist, 2 general surgeons, rheumatology, ENT and no one can give me answers to why this all happened suddenly. When it first came out it was only when I tilted my head up and to the side, it’s grown double in a year but still only prominent when I lift my chin up. I have an ultrasound Dec 22nd because mine doesn’t show up on CT or MRI either. They all keep saying it’s been there or it’s normal when i know it hasn’t and it’s not normal for me. Did anyone have fevers with theirs or other spontaneous growths? Did anyone get a diagnoses? I’m a 38 yr old female working mom of 2. I was doing great and then 5/2018-9/2018 felt pretty bad, alien showed up and was on rapid decline since. Good to see I’m not alone but sorry you’re all going through this.

Where is the nuchal ligament? I need a picture. What does calcification mean? Does it turn hard like a bone?

I have the same exact problem as everyone here. The neurosurgeon didn't seem to know what it was. This is the first time I have found anything like my problem. My neck stiffness and pain just keeps getting worse.

It just came out for me too, and it definitely isn't normal.

Welcome to the discussion, @karencw! As you have seen, there are several others here with what you are experiencing and who will be great resources and support for you like @radmamasaur, @gina111 and @wendallzmom.

When did this first start for you and what are you doing for your neck stiffness and pain?