[A case of acromegaly associated with variegated spinal disorders]

A case of acromegaly associated with variegated spinal disorders was reported. The spinal disorders were multiple cervical disc herniations, spinal epidural cavernous angioma, multiple ossification of the spinal ligament and lumbar canal stenosis. A 51-year-old woman with acromegaly, complaining of disturbances of delicate hand movement and gate, consulted our department. Her past history included diabetes mellitus, hypertension and progressing enlargement of her extremities. Serum growth hormone level was 65.7 ng/ml and somatomedin-c level was 746 ng/ml. Brain MRI showed a pituitary tumor extending to the right cavernous sinus. Cervical MRI revealed disc herniations at C5/6 and C6/7. Thoracic MRI revealed osteoporosis, ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament and multiple ossification of yellow ligament. Lumbar MRI disclosed ossification of yellow ligament and canal stenosis. Anterior fusion of C5-C7 and an intracapsular removal of the pituitary tumor were performed. Its pathology was that of eosinophilic adenoma. After 3 months, she suffered from paraparesis. On repeating MRI examination with Gd-DTPA, a spinal epidural mass was found at T4. Under laminectomy of Th3-5 and Th8-11, the epidural mass and ossified yellow ligament were removed. The epidural mass was cavernous angioma. She was able to walk without any assistance. An association of spinal canal stenosis with acromegaly is well known. But the association of disc herniation and with the ossification of spinal ligaments is rather rare in the literature. Spinal epidural cavernous angioma is very rare. We discussed the etiological aspects and the management of spinal disorders with acromegaly.