GORHAM DISEASE OF THE SPINE

Study Design. This is a case report of Gorham disease of the spine wit h review of the literature. Objective. To review the diagnosis, therap y, clinical course, and prognosis of Gorham disease of the spine. Summ ary of Background Data. This is the 17th reported case of spinal invol vement by this rare type of idiopathic osteolysis. Methods. The patien t was studied with radiographs, nuclear bone scans, computed tomograph y scans, magnetic resonance scans, and biopsies. His spine was stabili zed by posterior and anterior rods, corpectomies, and bone grafts. Res ults. The patient's spine had remained stable for 22 months after surg ery, but intractable chylothoraces and spreading bone destruction were present. Conclusions. Spinal Gorham disease has high morbidity and mo rtality, but the course in an individual patient is difficult to predi ct. Early spinal stabilization should be considered before irreversibl e neurologic complications occur.