Polyostotic fibrous dysplasia of the cervical spine: case report and review of the literature

Background contextMultiple lytic lesions of the spine usually represent metastatic or infectious disease processes.PurposeTo describe an extremely rare presentation of an uncommon disease process.Study design/settingCase report/university hospital.MethodsWe describe the management of a patient who presented with a pathological fracture of C3 and multiple lytic lesions of the cervical spine.ResultsAfter reconstructive surgery, the final pathological diagnosis was fibrous dysplasia.ConclusionFibrous dysplasia is rarely seen in the cervical spine and may mimic other pathological processes. The surgical and medical management of spinal fibrous dysplasia is described.