Sameh Ibrahim1, Hubert Labelle2, Jean-Marc Mac-Thiong3. 1. Department of Surgery, CHU Sainte-Justine, Côte-Sainte-Catherine Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada H3T 1C5. 2. Department of Surgery, CHU Sainte-Justine, Côte-Sainte-Catherine Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada H3T 1C5; Department of Surgery, University of Montreal, 2900 Boulevard Édouard-Montpetit, Montreal, Quebec, Canada H3T 1J4. 3. Department of Surgery, CHU Sainte-Justine, Côte-Sainte-Catherine Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada H3T 1C5; Department of Surgery, University of Montreal, 2900 Boulevard Édouard-Montpetit, Montreal, Quebec, Canada H3T 1J4; Department of Surgery, Hopital du Sacre-Coeur de Montreal, 5400 Boulevard Gouin Ouest, Montreal, Quebec, Canada H4J 1C5. Electronic address: macthiong@gmail.com.
Abstract
BACKGROUND CONTEXT: The Kozlowski type of spondylometaphyseal dysplasia (SMD-K) is characterized by vertebral and metaphyseal abnormalities. The longitudinal evolution of thoracolumbar kyphosis associated with vertebral anomalies in SMD-K is unclear. PURPOSE: To document the longitudinal changes in sagittal alignment and vertebral morphology in a patient with SMD-K treated nonoperatively with a Milwaukee brace. STUDY DESIGN/ SETTING: Case report. PATIENT SAMPLE: Patient with SMD-K having multiple vertebral anomalies and a thoracolumbar kyphosis. METHODS: A girl with SMD-K seen initially at 21 months old was followed for 14 years. She presented with thoracolumbar kyphosis associated with multiple vertebral anomalies consisting primarily of hypoplasia at L1, beaking at L2, and ovoid shape of adjacent vertebrae. The patient was treated with a Milwaukee brace and followed until she was 16 years old. RESULTS: After initiation of brace treatment, the thoracolumbar kyphosis gradually resolved and she had a normal sagittal alignment at last follow-up. Normal vertebral morphology was also completely restored in the sagittal plane. The patient developed a main thoracic scoliosis that did not require additional treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Nonoperative treatment with bracing can be attempted in patients with SMD-K affected by thoracolumbar kyphosis and multiple vertebral anomalies, because full restoration of normal sagittal alignment and vertebral morphology is possible.
BACKGROUND CONTEXT: The Kozlowski type of spondylometaphyseal dysplasia (SMD-K) is characterized by vertebral and metaphyseal abnormalities. The longitudinal evolution of thoracolumbar kyphosis associated with vertebral anomalies in SMD-K is unclear. PURPOSE: To document the longitudinal changes in sagittal alignment and vertebral morphology in a patient with SMD-K treated nonoperatively with a Milwaukee brace. STUDY DESIGN/ SETTING: Case report. PATIENT SAMPLE: Patient with SMD-K having multiple vertebral anomalies and a thoracolumbar kyphosis. METHODS: A girl with SMD-K seen initially at 21 months old was followed for 14 years. She presented with thoracolumbar kyphosis associated with multiple vertebral anomalies consisting primarily of hypoplasia at L1, beaking at L2, and ovoid shape of adjacent vertebrae. The patient was treated with a Milwaukee brace and followed until she was 16 years old. RESULTS: After initiation of brace treatment, the thoracolumbar kyphosis gradually resolved and she had a normal sagittal alignment at last follow-up. Normal vertebral morphology was also completely restored in the sagittal plane. The patient developed a main thoracic scoliosis that did not require additional treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Nonoperative treatment with bracing can be attempted in patients with SMD-K affected by thoracolumbar kyphosis and multiple vertebral anomalies, because full restoration of normal sagittal alignment and vertebral morphology is possible.