Asymptomatic massive dural ectasia associated with neurofibromatosis type 1 threatening spinal column support:...

We report the case of a girl with a dystrophic neurofibromatosis lumbar scoliosis with asymptomatic progression and spread of dystrophic characteristics over 18 years. Resorption of almost the entire anterior column of L1-L4 had occurred despite a previous posterior instrumentation and fusion. A vascularized fibula bone graft wrapped in titanium mesh was used as an anterior structural graft. With close follow-up, the need for this type of salvage surgery might have been averted. Further follow-up showed no graft resorption and unchanged sagittal alignment after 3 years.