Kümmell's disease: a case report and literature review. Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 2008 Mar 01;33(5):E152-5
Date
03/05/2008Pubmed ID
18317183DOI
10.1097/BRS.0b013e3181657f31Scopus ID
2-s2.0-41049115200 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 69 CitationsAbstract
STUDY DESIGN: A case report and literature review of Kümmell's disease.
OBJECTIVE: To describe a case that meets modern criteria for Kümmell's disease and discuss the literature on this.
SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Over 100 years ago, Hermann Kümmell described a condition in which patients sustained a "trivial" trauma, had an essentially asymptomatic period lasting weeks to months, then developed a painful, progressive angular kyphosis. Only with the advent of radiograph technology, and the radiographic demonstration of delayed vertebral body collapse, was this concept felt to be valid. There has been a renewed interest in this as a diagnostic entity.
METHODS: A patient is presented who developed worsening midback pain weeks after a minor fall. He subsequently was found to have T9, and T10 destructive vertebral body lesions.
RESULTS: Only after an extensive workup, including 3 biopsies of the affected area was the diagnosis of Kümmell's disease considered and surgical treatment performed. CONCLUSION.: Delayed vertebral body collapse, i.e., Kümmell's disease, needs to be considered in any patient with recurrent or worsening spinal symptoms. Under-recognition of this condition leads to delayed diagnosis and treatment.
Author List
Swartz K, Fee DAuthors
Dominic B. Fee MD Vice Chair, Professor in the Neurology department at Medical College of WisconsinKarin R. Swartz MD Assistant Dean, Professor in the Neurosurgery department at Medical College of Wisconsin
MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
Accidental FallsBiopsy
Humans
Kyphosis
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Male
Middle Aged
Spinal Injuries
Thoracic Vertebrae
Tomography, X-Ray Computed
