Thoracic spondylolisthesis and spinal cord compression in diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis: a case report

A 78-year-old Japanese man presented with a 6-month history of gait disturbance. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of his lumbar spine revealed lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS). He could not walk outdoors. A neurological examination of muscle weakness of his iliopsoas and quadriceps femoris suggested possible spinal cord compression. Cervical and thoracic spine MRI revealed anterior spondylolisthesis and severe cord compression at T3 to T4 and T10 to T11, and high signal intensity on a T2-weighted image at T10/11 (Fig. 1). An X-ray revealed intervertebral disc space narrowing and anterior spondylolisthesis at T3/4 and T10/11 (Fig. 2). A myelogram-computed tomography (CT) scan showed anterior spondylolisthesis and severe cord compression at the T10/11 level. OPLL and OLF were not seen at T10/11. DISH was noted above the T10 level (Fig. 3). We determined that the lesion responsible was located at the T10/11 level. He underwent partial laminectomy at T10 and posterior fusion at T9 to T12. He could walk outdoors with one T-cane postoperatively. Postoperative CT detected DISH between T4 and T10 and anatomical repositioning of the anterior spondylolisthesis previously noted at T10. Postoperative MRI revealed resolution of the spinal cord compression and an improvement in the high signal intensity on the T2-weighted image (Fig. 4).

DISH is a non-inflammatory skeletal disease characterized by calcification and ossification of soft tissues, primarily ligaments and entheses. DISH is also known as senile ankylosing hyperostosis [6]. DISH involving the spine is identified radiologically by flowing ligamentous ossification and calcification of the anterolateral aspect of the vertebral body with relatively well-preserved disc space [7]. The radiographic criteria, as defined by Utsinger et al., includes: (1) bridging osteophytes extending over four contiguous vertebral bodies; (2) relatively normal intervening disk space height in relation to height in relation to age; and (3) absence of apophyseal joints, bony ankyloses, and absence of erosion, sclerosis, or osseous fusion of the sacroiliac joints [8]. Our patient met all these criteria.

Spinal involvement of DISH is characterized radiologically by flowing ossification of the anterior longitudinal ligament, which is typically separated from the anterior aspect of the vertebral body by a thin radiolucent line [9]. The spinal longitudinal ligaments and entheses slowly ossify and show decreased mobility in the affected region until complete ankylosis results. DISH frequently begins in the lower thoracic spinal segments, before extending into the upper thoracic segments and lumbar spine [10].

DISH results in the fusion of several spinal segments, which amplify the biomechanical load on the unaffected segments. Hypermobility of the spinal segment causes disc degeneration or hypertrophy of the OLF, thus resulting in LSS.

The main point of interest in the present case was the slow progression of myelopathy due to T10 anterior spondylolisthesis in a patient with DISH. In this case, DISH between T4 and T10 caused disc degeneration and anterior spondylolisthesis in T3 to T4 and T10 to T11. Hypermobility of the spinal segment gradually led to spinal cord compression.

To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of thoracic spondylolisthesis and spinal cord compression in a patient with DISH. Neurosurgical intervention provided significant relief of our patient’s symptoms. Patients with significant neurological deficits due to spinal cord compression often require surgical intervention. The type of surgery depends on the site and type of compression.

We report the first case of thoracic spondylolisthesis and spinal cord compression in DISH. Neurosurgical intervention resulted in significant improvement of our patient’s neurological symptoms.