Spontaneous symptomatic pseudoarthrosis at the T11-T12 intervertebral space with diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis: a case report.
METHODS
We report on a 69-year-old male who had severe back pain due to spontaneous symptomatic pseudoarthrosis at the T11-T12 intervertebral space with diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis.


OBJECTIVE
To describe a rare clinical entity and successful treatment by spinal fusion with a 4-year follow-up.


BACKGROUND
There have been a few reports of spontaneous symptomatic pseudoarthrosis of an intervertebral space associated with diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis, but there have been no reports of surgical treatment for this clinical condition.


METHODS
Plain radiographs of the patient, who was admitted to our hospital with severe back pain but no history of trauma, revealed manifestations of diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis and a pseudoarthrosis at the T11-T12 intervertebral space. Posterior instrumentation from T9 to L2 and anterior bone grafting at the T11-T12 intervertebral space were performed.


RESULTS
The patient has been followed for 4 years and is currently asymptomatic.


CONCLUSIONS
A rare case of spontaneous symptomatic pseudoarthrosis at the T11-T12 intervertebral space with diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis was treated successfully by spinal fusion.
Miyamoto
Kei
K
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Gifu University, School of Medicine, Gifu, Japan. Kei@bg8.s0-net.ne.jp
Shimizu
Katsuji
K
Arimoto
Rieko
R
Sakaguchi
Yasumichi
Y
Nishimoto
Hirofumi
H
Kodama
Hirotaka
H
Hosoe
Hideo
H
D000368:Aged; D001416:Back Pain / Q000209:etiology; D005598:Fractures, Spontaneous / Q000150:complications* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D004057:Hyperostosis, Diffuse Idiopathic Skeletal / Q000150:complications* / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D011542:Pseudarthrosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000601:surgery; D016103:Spinal Fractures / Q000150:complications* / Q000601:surgery; D013123:Spinal Fusion; D016896:Treatment Outcome