J Korean Neurosurg Soc.  2011 Aug;50(2):139-142. 10.3340/jkns.2011.50.2.139.

Cervical Fibrous Dysplasia Presenting as a Pathologic Fracture in an Older Patient

• Lee SH
• Han IH
• Kang DW
• Choi BK

• KMID: 1814122
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3340/jkns.2011.50.2.139

Abstract

Vertebral involvement of fibrous dysplasia (FD) is rare, especially in the cervical spine. Moreover, cervical FD presenting as a pathologic fracture in older patients is extremely rare. We report a case of symptomatic cervical FD associated with pathologic fracture in a 63-year-old man. The patient presented with progressive weakness of the left arm and pain in the shoulder and arm. Radiologic studies revealed a collapsed and typical 'ground glass' radiolucency of C4. Multiple lytic lesions involved the odontoid process of C2 and the body, left pedicle, and posterior elements of C4. Combined anterior and posterior decompression and reconstruction were performed. Post-operatively, the histopathologic examination confirmed FD. On the post-operative follow-up examination, the neurologic deficits had completely resolved.

Keyword

Fibrous dysplasia; Cervical spine; Elderly

MeSH Terms

Aged
Arm
Decompression
Follow-Up Studies
Fractures, Spontaneous
Humans
Middle Aged
Neurologic Manifestations
Odontoid Process
Shoulder
Spine