Stenosis of the lumbar spinal canal in Forestier's disease.

Hyperostosis of the spine, Forestier's disease, is a rare, but well defined entity which results from silent, extensive paraspinal calcification. It has been regarded as an asymptomatic ankylosis requiring no medical or surgical treatment. Two patients with Forestier's disease are presented who show severe stenosis of the lumbar canal with early symptoms of neurological compression.