Images in Spine: A Rare Abnormal Bony Fusion

Uma V Mahajan; Kyle B Labak; Collin M Labak; Eric Z Herring; Alia M Hdeib

doi:10.7759/cureus.13719

Images in Spine: A Rare Abnormal Bony Fusion

Cureus. 2021 Mar 5;13(3):e13719. doi: 10.7759/cureus.13719.

Authors

Uma V Mahajan¹, Kyle B Labak¹, Collin M Labak¹, Eric Z Herring¹, Alia M Hdeib²

Affiliations

¹ Neurological Surgery, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, USA.
² Neurological Surgery, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, USA.

Abstract

Klippel-Feil syndrome (KFS) is characterized by failed segmentation of the cervical spine leading to inappropriately fused vertebral bodies. A 64-year-old male with a previous L5-S1 decompression presented with significant neck pain with radiation into the entire right upper extremity and hand. Imaging demonstrated fusion of the vertebral bodies at C2-3, C4-6, and C7-T1 with associated disc bulges at C3-4 and C6-7. Common presentation of KFS includes significant spondylosis and cervical myeloradiculopathy in addition to the classic triad of short neck, low posterior hairline, and restricted neck motion. We present exemplary images of this rare condition to aid clinicians in future diagnoses.

Keywords: cervical myelopathy; cervical spine; cervical vertebral fusion syndrome; congenital spine disease; klippel-feil syndrome; kyphotic deformity; wasp-waist sign.

Publication types

Case Reports