One-stage posterior grade 4 osteotomy and bone graft fusion at pseudarthrosis for the treatment of kyphotic deformity with Andersson lesions in ankylosing spondylitis

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory disease, characterized by ossification of the ligaments of the spinal column, annulus fibrosis, endplates, and apophyseal joints, resulting in the formation of a “bamboo spine” [1–3]. Ankylosis of the spine also causes vertebral osteoporosis and biomechanical alterations [4,5]. Spinal pseudarthrosis is a well-known complication in AS patients [3,6]. This pseudarthrosis often progresses to destructive lesions of the intervertebral disc and vertebral bod y at the site of pseudarthrosis [6,7], known as Andersson lesions (ALs) [3]; ALs lead to persistent back pain, progressive kyphotic deformity at the site of the apex of pseudarthrosis, and neurologic symptoms in AS patients [8,9].

Source: Clinical Neurology and Neurosurgery - May 11, 2017 Category: Neurosurgery Authors: Tingxian Ling, Bangjian Zhou, Ce Zhu, Xi Yang, Yueming Song, Zhe Qiang, Limin Liu Source Type: research