Intervertebral bridging ossification after kyphoplasty in a Parkinson's patient with Kummell's disease: A case report

The short-term therapeutic efficacy of kyphoplasty on Kummell's disease is obvious. However, postoperative refracture and adjacent vertebral fracture occur occasionally and are difficult to treat. Parkinson's disease (PD) is a pathological disorder associated with heterotopic ossification. In a patient with PD, an intervertebral bridge was formed in a short period of time after postoperative refracture and adjacent vertebral fracture, providing new stability.

A 78-year-old woman had been suffering from PD for more than 10 years. Three months before operation, she developed lower back pain and discomfort. The visual analog scale (VAS) score was 9 points. Preoperative magnetic resonance imaging indicated collapse of the L2 vertebra. Kyphoplasty was performed and significantly decreased the severity of intractable pain. The patient's VAS score for pain improved from 9 to 2. Fifty days postoperatively, the patient suddenly developed severe back pain, and the VAS score was 9 points. X-ray showed L2 vertebral body collapse, slight forward bone cement displacement, L1 vertebral compression fracture, and severe L1 collapse. The patient was given calcium acetate capsules 0.6 g po qd and alfacalcidol 0.5ug po qd, and bed rest and brace protection were ordered. After conservative treatment for 2 mo, the patient's back pain was alleviated, and the VAS score improved from 9 to 2. Computed tomography at the 7-mo follow-up indicated extensive callus formation around the T12-L2 vertebrae and intervertebral bridging ossification, providing new stability.

Kyphoplasty is currently a conventional treatment for Kummell's disease, with definite short-term effects. However, complications still occur in the long term, and these complications are difficult to address; thus, the treatment needs to be selected carefully. To avoid refracture, an interlaced structure of bone cement with trabeculae should be created to the greatest extent possible during the injection of bone cement. Surgical intervention may not be urgently needed when a patient with PD experiences refracture and adjacent vertebral fracture, as a strong bridge may help stabilize the vertebrae and relieve pain.