INTRODUCTION: Crowned dens syndrome is due to a microcrystalline infringement 
(hydroxyapatite or calcium pyrophosphate) of the retro-odontoidal ligament of 
atlas, often leading to the erroneous diagnosis of meningitis or spondylitis. We 
report on three new cases diagnosed from 1996 to 1999.
EXEGESIS: The patients complained of cervicalgies, headaches or fever. The 
initially evoked diagnoses were meningitis, spondylodiscitis or endocarditis. 
Clinical exam found meningism and an inflammatory syndrome in all patients. 
Analysis of the cerebro-spinal fluid realised in two cases was normal. The 
diagnosis of crowned dens syndrome was assessed in two cases by cervical CT scan 
of C1/C2. In the third case, chondrocalcinosis of a wrist allowed this 
diagnosis. We report a probably non fortuitous case of crowned dens syndrome 
associated with genetic hemochromatosis. A non steroidal anti-inflammatory 
treatment allowed a dramatic regression of clinical symptoms.
CONCLUSION: This entity should be better known; it can mimick numerous diagnosis 
and be responsible for fever in the long course.