Beneficial effects following microsurgical decompression in an adult with congenital thoraco-lumbar kyphoscoliosis with spina bifida aperta and myelomeningocele: an interesting case report.

Abstract

STUDY DESIGN:

Case report.

CLINICAL QUESTION:

To report successful surgical therapy for spinal canal stenosis in an adult patient with congenital thoraco-lumbar kyphoscoliosis with spina bifida aperta and myelomeningocele.

METHODS:

A 65-year-old woman with a history of congenital thoraco-lumbar kyphoscoliosis with spina bifida aperta and myelomeningocele presented with severe radicular pain and weakness in her left lower limb.

RESULTS:

The patient underwent microsurgical decompression at the level of L3/S1 on the left side. Postsurgery, the patient showed significant amount of pain relief and improvement in weakness in the left lower limb.

CONCLUSION:

Surgery for spinal canal stenosis in patients with severe thoraco-lumbar scoliosis can be effective in relieving radicular pain, weakness and numbness, and while not curative can greatly improve the quality of life.

• Authors: Imtiaz Ghani, Markus Kroeber
• Journal: Archives of orthopaedic and trauma surgery (Arch Orthop Trauma Surg) Vol. 132 Issue 8 Pg. 1085-7 (Aug 2012) ISSN: 1434-3916 [Electronic] Germany
• PMID: 22592913 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Topics

• Aged
• Decompression, Surgical (methods)
• Female
• Humans
• Kyphosis (complications)
• Leg (innervation)
• Lumbar Vertebrae
• Meningomyelocele (complications)
• Microsurgery
• Neuralgia (etiology, surgery)
• Scoliosis (complications)
• Spina Bifida Cystica (complications)
• Thoracic Vertebrae