Posterior Surgical Approach for Cervical Fracture in a Patient with Diffuse Idiopathic Skeletal Hyperostosis: A Case Report

Abstract

Background: To explain posterior approach for a case with vertebral fracture caused by trauma in a patient with diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH) and evaluation its outcome and effects.
Case Presentation: A 57 years-old man came to emergency room due to falling and severe cervical pain. The patient was neurologically intact and radiological surveys revealed fractures in C6 cervical vertebrae in addition to hyperostosis in the lumbar and thoracic spine. We fixed fractured vertebra by lateral mass screws through a posterior approach with bony fusion (without laminectomy).
Results: The patient was mobilized the day after operation and discharged from hospital 3 days later. One year follow up showed acceptable bony fusion and no complication was reported.
Conclusions: Posterior approach is an effective and simple procedure in comparison to other approaches and can be used safely with minimal side effects in selected patients with DISH.