Balloon kyphoplasty for vertebral compression fractures secondary to polyostotic fibrous dysplasia. Case report

This 25-year-old woman with polyostotic fibrous dysplasia (McCune-Albright syndrome) suffered low-back pain after a minor traumatic injury. Neurological examination demonstrated normal status. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed cystic lesions in multiple thoracic and lumbar vertebral bodies, consistent with polyostotic fibrous dysplasia. Severe vertebral compression fractures (VCFs) were seen at T-8 and L-2. Balloon kyphoplasty was performed to treat the T-8 and L-2 VCFs and also prophylactically at T-9 and T-10 to forestall impending fractures at those levels. The patient tolerated the procedures very well and reported complete resolution of back pain. Balloon kyphoplasty may be an option in patients with painful VCFs caused by fibrous dysplasia.