Diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis presenting as cervical and thoracic myelopathy

Authors : Nikhil Gladson, Shaji C. V, Vishal V. Panicker, Meena Kumari

DOI : 10.18231/2455-8451.2018.0024

Volume : 4

Issue : 2

Year : 0

Page No : 93-96

Introduction: Diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH), also termed Forestier’s disease, occurs in about 12% of middle-age and elderly men.1 Anterolateral ossification of the anterior longitudinal ligament leads to ankylosing hyperostosis of continuous vertebral bodies. Neurological problems due to Ossification of Posterior Longitudinal Ligament [OPLL] or Ossification of Ligamentum Flavum [OLF] associated with DISH have been reported.
Case Report: A 42 year old male presented with insidious onset neck pain restriction of neck and back movements of 1 year duration. For last 2 weeks presented with weakness and sensory symptoms of both lower. On examination was found to have features of cervical myeloradiculopathy. He was found to have bridging ossification of cervical and thoracic vertebrae in X Ray. MRI showed ossification of posterior longitudinal ligament in cervical spine and ossification of ligamentum flavum in thoracic spine causing compressive myelopathy. He was diagnosed to have DISH with OPLL and OLF causing cervical and thoracic compressive myelopathy.

Keywords: Diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis, Ossification of posterior longitudinal ligament, Cervical myeloradiculopathy, Ossification of ligamentum flavum.


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