Ultrasound-guided percutaneous treatment of a calcific acromioclavicular joint: A case report

RATIONALE: Calcific tendinopathy is one of the most frequent causes of nontraumatic shoulder pain. However, intra-articular calcifications appear to be an infrequent condition. We herein report a rare case study of an intra-articular calcification of the acromioclavicular joint. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 46-year-old man presented with an acute pain in the anterior superior region of the left shoulder which also radiated to the left cervical region. The man during the physical evaluation also presented severe functional limitation of the shoulder movements in all planes of motion. DIAGNOSES: The diagnosis was carried out through a radiographic and an echotomographic examination, highlighting the intra-articular calcific formation associated to a reactive inflammatory reaction. INTERVENTIONS: An ultrasound-guided percutaneous treatment following the guidelines for calcific tendinopathy of the shoulder was carried out. OUTCOMES: The posttreatment was satisfactory with the disappearance of the pain and the recovery of the shoulder movements in all planes of motion. LESSONS: We can affirm that the ultrasound-guided percutaneous treatment in patients with calcification of the acromion-clavicular joint represents a valid and nonpainful therapeutic treatment.