Cervical myelopathy in a patient with Klippel-Feil syndrome treated with a patient-specific custom cervical spine locking plate.

INTRODUCTION

Klippel-Feil Syndrome is the congenital fusion of at least two cervical vertebrae. Often asymptomatic, though in rare cases it may lead to severe cervical spine deformity and neurologic injury.

CASE PRESENTATION: We report a case of a 48-year-old woman with a history of Klippel-Feil Syndrome and congenital scoliosis who developed progressive cervical myelopathy. She was surgically treated with anterior C5 corpectomy and arthrodesis. Pre-operative evaluation was facilitated by 3D printed models. The surgical decompression and spinal reconstruction was completed with the use of a patient-specific, custom-made cervical spine locking plate.

DISCUSSION: Pre-operative evaluation with 3D printing technology was useful in understanding the patient's complex curve pattern and in designing a patient specific implant. Custom designed implant is a reasonable option to treat cervical myelopathy associated with complex cervical deformity.