Posterior correction and fusion for severe cervical kyphosis in a patient with myotonic dystrophy: a case report.

STUDY

DESIGN

A case report.

OBJECTIVE

To report the first myotonic dystrophy case in which cervical kyphosis had been surgically corrected.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Myotonic dystrophy is an autosomal dominant disease that shows myotonia, progressive muscle atrophy, and other various symptoms. Instability of the neck is expected to cause disorders of the cervical spine; however, there are no detailed reports on deformity of cervical spine associated with this disease.

METHODS

A 43-year-old man with cervical kyphosis due to myotonic dystrophy had undergone an occiput-T2 fusion with autogenous iliac bone using spinal instrumentation.

RESULTS

The activity of daily life of the patient had improved markedly, and the good results continued to be preserved for 5 years. There were not any major perioperative complications.

CONCLUSIONS

Surgical correction of cervical spine is not necessarily a contraindication for myotonic dystrophy.