Polyostotic fibrous dysplasia involving the thoracic spine with myelopathy: case report and review of the literature

Background contextPolyostotic fibrous dysplasia (PFD) seldom involves the thoracic spine and usually presents with back pain.PurposeTo describe an extremely rare presentation of an uncommon disease.Study design/settingWe present a case report from a university hospital.MethodsWe report a case of symptomatic thoracic PFD associated with myelopathy and pathologic fracture. A thorough search of PubMed/MEDLINE was performed for the terms “polyostotic fibrous dysplasia,” “spine,” and “neurological deficit.”ResultsThe patient was treated by posterior laminectomy, vertebroplasty, and pedicle screw fixation and fusion. Satisfactory results were achieved, and there were no complications.ConclusionsIn the spine, PFD may lead to pathologic fracture and myelopathy even after adolescence. Vertebroplasty with or without decompression and fixation may be the appropriate option for cases with myelopathy.