title: Arachnoiditis ossificans of the thoracic spine.
abstract: Arachnoiditis ossificans is a rare disorder characterized by the development of calcifications of the arachnoid membrane of the thoracic and lumbar spines. It is an extremely rare cause of spinal canal stenosis and consequent neurological compromise, and its origins and optimal management remain unclear. We review of the literature that illustrates the challenges of diagnosis and treatment of arachnoiditis ossificans. A patient with arachnoiditis ossificans is discussed to illustrate the presentation, treatment, and prognosis of the disease.
authors.affiliation: Division of Neurosurgery, Duke University Medical Center, Box 3807, Durham, NC 27710, USA. Electronic address: jacob.bagley@duke.edu.
authors.forename: Jacob H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Bagley
authors.affiliation: Division of Neurosurgery, Duke University Medical Center, Box 3807, Durham, NC 27710, USA.
authors.forename: T Ryan
authors.initials: TR
authors.lastname: Owens
authors.affiliation: Division of Neurosurgery, Duke University Medical Center, Box 3807, Durham, NC 27710, USA.
authors.forename: Betsy H
authors.initials: BH
authors.lastname: Grunch
authors.affiliation: Division of Neurosurgery, Duke University Medical Center, Box 3807, Durham, NC 27710, USA.
authors.forename: Jessica R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Moreno
authors.affiliation: Division of Neurosurgery, Duke University Medical Center, Box 3807, Durham, NC 27710, USA.
authors.forename: Carlos A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Bagley
mesh_terms: D001099:Arachnoid / Q000473:pathology*; D002114:Calcinosis / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae
keywords: Arachnoid calcification; Arachnoiditis ossificans; Ossification; Thoracic spine