SPINA-BIFIDA OCCULTA MIMICKING A DESTRUCTIVE LESION

Objective: To discuss an unusual presentation of spina bifida occulta (SBO) mimicking an aggressive bone lesion. Clinical Features: A 59-yr- old man suffered from intermittent neck pain. The plain film radiograp hs revealed rarefaction of the C6 spinous process that mimicked an agg ressive bone lesion. Computed tomography and previous radiographs of t he region confirmed an SBO defect of the C6 level. Intervention and Ou tcome: Supportive therapy was applied to the patient for his presentin g neck complaint. Chiropractic manipulative treatment was not applied to the lower cervical spine until the possibility of an aggressive bon e lesion was excluded. Conclusion: An unusual presentation of SBO was presented. This case demonstrated the usefulness of specialized imagin g to further delineate questionable anatomical presentations, which at times mimic destructive bone lesions.