Crowned dens syndrome is an acute inflammatory disease caused by deposition of calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate crystals or hydroxyapatite crystals in the soft tissue and ligaments surrounding the dense. Patient presentation is severe pain in the neck and base of the skull, low grade fever, and elevated inflammatory markers. It is most commonly seen in elderly females. Ct scan is the gold standard for diagnosis. Once meningitis and other significant infectious process has been excluded, treatment is anti inflammatory medications including steroids.
