Reoperation for spinal restenosis in achondroplasia

The characteristics of spinal restenosis in achondroplasia and its treatmen t are evaluated in this study. Radiologic and surgical findings were correl ated to establish the causes of achondroplastic spinal restenosis and the b enefits of its therapy. Eight patients (five men, three women) with spinal restenotic complications of achondroplasia were studied. The most common ne urological sign of recurrent stenosis was impaired motor function. The mean interval between the most recent surgeries was 8.2 years (9.5 years for su rgeries at the same levels). The most common causes of recurrent stenosis w ere facet hypertrophy and disk disease. The complications were a dural tear and cerebellar hemorrhage in one patient and transient neurological deteri oration in another. One patient died after operation. Restenosis can occur many years after original decompression in the achondroplastic spine, and r epeated operation can successfully lessen pain and neurological symptoms in most patients.