SPINAL-CORD COMPRESSION AND BONE FLUORIDE INTOXICATION - REPORT OF 4 CASES

The authors report four cases of spinal cord compression (three at cer vical level and one at dorsal level) due to vertebral osteosclerosis s econdary to chronic fluoride intoxication. Roentgenograms showed typic al diffuse densification of vertebral bodies, calcifications of bony i nsertions of many ligaments, discs and interosseous membranes. Urinary fluoride was markedly increased in two cases. In the other two cases the bone biopsy was suggestive of skeletal fluorosis. Spinal computed tomography showed severe cord compression due to posterior osteophytes . Good improvement was observed after surgical decompression in one ca se. Fluorosis was described as a consequence of endemic exposure to hi gh fluoride content in soil and natural ground water in North Africa. Fluorotic myelopathy was due to bone excrescences mainly affecting the spine.