01.12.2011 | Case report | Ausgabe 1/2011 Open Access
Lumbar disc herniation in three patients with cystic fibrosis: a case series
- Zeitschrift:
- Journal of Medical Case Reports > Ausgabe 1/2011
Wichtige Hinweise
Electronic supplementary material
The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/1752-1947-5-440) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Competing interests
The authors declare that they have no competing interests.
Authors' contributions
CD wrote the article, and conceived of the study in cooperation with AV. HW gave psychological and MS radiological advice. MS was also involved in the diagnostic process as neurosurgeon. AG was involved in the therapeutic process of our patients as the head of the pulmonology department, and SB as the head of the pediatric department. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.
Abstract
Introduction
To date, lumbar disc herniation has not been reported in the context of cystic fibrosis even though back pain and musculoskeletal problems are very common in patients with cystic fibrosis.
Case presentation
We report on three patients with cystic fibrosis who experienced lumbar disc herniation in the course of their disease at ages 19 to 21 years (a 22-year-old Caucasian man, a 23-year-old Caucasian man, and a 21-year-old Caucasian woman). Our third patient eventually died because of her deteriorated pulmonary situation, which was influenced by the lumbar disc herniation as it was not possible for her to perform pulmonary drainage techniques properly because of the pain.
Conclusions
Lumbar disc herniation can lead to a vicious cycle for patients with cystic fibrosis as it may promote pulmonary infections. This report highlights the need to investigate patients correctly.