Alkaptonuria with lumbar disc herniation - A report of two cases

Study Design. Two cases of lumbar disc herniation with alkaptonuria are pre sented. Objectives. To present a probable clinical course of course lumbar disc her niation with alkaptonuria, a rare metabolic disease. Summary of Background Data. Although lumbar disc disease is a common clinic al occurrence in alkaptonuria, lumbar disc surgery is needed rarely in this disease. A patient with alkaptonuria without ochronotic signs is also rare ly seen. Methods. The cause, clinical presentation, diagnostic techniques and treatm ent of alkaptonuria with lumbar disc disease are reviewed. Results. The symptoms of the patients disappeared after surgery, and there were no symptoms on follow-up. Conclusion. Alkaptonuria frequently occurs in association with lumbar disc disease. In patients with no other signs of alkaptonuria or ochronosis, ear ly detection of the disease,is important to treat involvement of other syst ems (e.g., cardiovascular and urinary).