Coexistent cervical spine fusion and thoracic disc herniations with acute myelitis

Infez Med. 2010 Sep;18(3):177-81.

Abstract

Thoracic disc herniations are commonly found in asymptomatic individuals, sometimes with genetic predisposition. Congenital fusions of cervical vertebrae occur in Klippel-Feil syndrome, which may be asymptomatic or cause compressive myelitis due to cervical instability or associated herniated discs. We report the case of a 72-year-old man with monophasic acute transverse myelitis probably caused by herpes simplex virus, coexistent with fused cervical vertebrae (C4-C5) and thoracic herniated discs. Establishment of the aetiology in cases of transverse acute myelitis can constitute a challenge in patients with cervical spine anomaly and disc herniations.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Acyclovir / therapeutic use
  • Aged
  • Antibodies, Viral / blood
  • Antibodies, Viral / immunology
  • Antiviral Agents / therapeutic use
  • Cervical Vertebrae
  • Herpes Simplex / complications*
  • Herpes Simplex / diagnosis
  • Herpes Simplex / drug therapy
  • Herpes Simplex / immunology
  • Herpesvirus 1, Human / immunology
  • Herpesvirus 2, Human / immunology
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin G / blood
  • Immunoglobulin G / immunology
  • Immunoglobulin M / blood
  • Immunoglobulin M / immunology
  • Intervertebral Disc Displacement / complications*
  • Intervertebral Disc Displacement / diagnosis
  • Klippel-Feil Syndrome / complications*
  • Klippel-Feil Syndrome / diagnosis
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Myelitis, Transverse / diagnosis
  • Myelitis, Transverse / etiology*
  • Myelitis, Transverse / immunology
  • Remission Induction
  • Thoracic Vertebrae*

Substances

  • Antibodies, Viral
  • Antiviral Agents
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Immunoglobulin M
  • Acyclovir