Abstract

CONTEXT: Childhood laminectomy can lead to spinal deformity. This is a report of a case of paraplegia caused by rotokyphoscoliosis, a late complication of laminectomy.
FINDINGS: A 55-year-old woman developed paraplegia due to post-laminectomy kyphoscoliosis. She had surgery for a spinal tumor at age 13 years. She developed kyphosis 2 years after the laminectomy, which has been gradually progressing over the years. She experienced weakness of lower limbs that progressed to paraplegia. There was no evidence for tumor recurrence. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of post-laminectomy kyphoscoliosis causing late-onset paraplegia. Conclusions/clinical relevance: This case highlights a possible long-term complication of laminectomy without stabilization or untreated kyphoscoliosis. Children should be followed closely after laminectomy because development of spinal deformity is very common. Without intervention, the kyphosis might progress and in the long term, serious neurological complications may result, including paraplegia.

Links

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Publisher Full Text

Authors

Duman I, Guzelkucuk U, Yilmaz B, Tan AK

Institution

Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Gulhane Military Medical Academy, Turkish Armed Forces Rehabilitation Center, Ankara, Turkey. iltekinduman@yahoo.com

Source

The journal of spinal cord medicine 35:3 2012 May pg 175-7

MeSH

Astrocytoma
Cervical Vertebrae
Female
Humans
Kyphosis
Laminectomy
Middle Aged
Paraplegia
Scoliosis
Spinal Cord Neoplasms
Thoracic Vertebrae

Pub Type(s)

Case Reports
Journal Article

Language

eng

PubMed ID

22507027