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Thoracic myelopathy with alkaptonuria.

Koji Akeda1, Yuichi Kasai, Eiji Kawakita

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This study reports the first case of thoracic myelopathy in a patient with alkaptonuria (ochronotic spondyloarthropathy). Surgical decompression and fusion effectively improved neurologic symptoms caused by a ruptured thoracic disc.

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Area of Science:

  • Medical Case Study
  • Spinal Surgery
  • Metabolic Disorders

Background:

  • Alkaptonuria (ochronotic spondyloarthropathy) is a rare metabolic disorder causing connective tissue breakdown and degenerative spinal disease.
  • Neurologic complications from spinal disease are uncommon in alkaptonuria patients, with thoracic myelopathy previously unreported.

Observation:

  • A patient with alkaptonuria presented with thoracic myelopathy.
  • The myelopathy was attributed to a ruptured thoracic intervertebral disc.

Findings:

  • Surgical decompression and instrumented fusion of the thoracic spine were performed.
  • The patient experienced significant improvement in neurologic symptoms post-surgery.

Implications:

  • This case highlights a rare presentation of alkaptonuria with thoracic myelopathy.
  • Surgical intervention is effective for managing this complication, improving patient outcomes.