Spontaneous symptomatic lumbar intervertebral pseudoarthrosis associated with diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis treated with a combined posteroanterior fusion: a case report and review of literature

Case Reports


doi: 10.21037/jss-20-578.

Affiliations

Item in Clipboard

Case Reports

Toru Funayama et al.


J Spine Surg.


.

Abstract

Although diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH) is generally asymptomatic, in rare cases it involves multiple segments and can present with intervertebral pseudoarthrosis which requires treatment. We report a case of a 47-year-old female patient with intervertebral pseudoarthrosis and severe dynamic instability in the L4-5 intervertebral disc due to DISH and provide a brief review of literature. The patient developed severe lower back pain and intermittent claudication due to the instability in the only mobile part between multiple fused vertebrae from C7 to L4 and fusion segment from L5 to the ilium. We performed long-range posterior spinal and two-stage 360° fusion with L4-5 lateral interbody fusion. After the surgery the pain and intermittent claudication were improved and bony fusion was successful. Reports of intervertebral pseudoarthrosis in DISH with no history of trauma are extremely rare. We have only been able to find 5 cases. Compared to the previous reports, the present case describes a youngest patient, first case of female, and had the longest fusion due to DISH. Therefore, the patient required long-range fusion from T10 to the iliac bone in order to achieve adequate stabilization. Moreover, the present case is the first example of choosing a lateral interbody fusion, which provides even more robust consolidation.


Keywords:

Spontaneous intervertebral pseudoarthrosis; case report; combined posteroanterior fusion; diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH).

Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of Interest: All authors have completed the ICMJE uniform disclosure form (available at http://dx.doi.org/10.21037/jss-20-578). TF and MY receive a joint research grant from Kuraray, Co., Ltd. The other authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.

Share on facebook
Facebook
Share on twitter
Twitter
Share on linkedin
LinkedIn
Share on vk
VK
Share on pinterest
Pinterest
Close Menu