Spinal Case Studies

Here spine specialists present many cases that are challenging and compelling. Each case provides a patient's history, exam and imaging, treatment, outcome and peer discussion. Cast your vote for treatment and share in the case discussions.

Recently Added Cases

Thoracic Exophytic Ependymoma With Severe Spinal Cord Compression

Amer Khalil, MD

A 50-year-old female presented wheelchair bound with progressive lower extremity weakness and numbness. She has diffuse numbness in...
Chronic Type II Odontoid Fracture With C1-C2 Instability and Severe Spinal Cord Compression

Amer Khalil, MD

Case report of an adult female with history of an old type II odontoid fracture presented with severe mechanical neck pain,...
Double Major Curve in an Adolescent

Ali A. Baaj, MD

Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis with double major curvature in a premenarchal female who presented with worsening spinal deformity....
Kyphosis Deformity Correction in Ankylosing Spondylitis

Jason M. Cuéllar, MD, PhD

In this case of kyphosis deformity correction in ankylosing spondylitis with compression fractures, how much correction is optimal?
Acute Traumatic Central Cord Syndrome

Benjamin Z Ball, MD

A 73-year-old male who was in a motor vehicle accident presented with diffuse weakness and numbness in both arms and legs; symptoms...
Traumatic Unilateral Cervical Spine Perched Facet

Benjamin Z Ball, MD

A 22-year-old male was evaluated in the ED after a motor vehicle collision. He was found to have bilateral C6 comminuted lamina...
Severe Lumbar Spinal Stenosis with Spondylolisthesis

Joshua M. Ammerman, MD

The patient presents with progressive back pain and is adopting a forward flexed posture. Does fusion result in a better outcome than...
Worsening Right Greater Than Left Leg Paresthesia

Christopher R Hemmer, DNP, ANP

A 64-year-old male presented to our office with complaints of right greater than left leg pain and numbness/tingling. He states that...
Superior Articular Facet Interbody Reconstruction (SAFIR)

Joshua M. Ammerman, MD

A 74-year-old presents with 9 months of back and R > L leg pain. Four years ago, she underwent L4-S1 ALIF with pedicle screws. Her...
Thoracic Spinal Cord Tumor

Ali A. Baaj, MD

The patient is a 76-year-old female with progressive lower extremity numbness and subjective weakness. Imaging revealed a thoracic...
Vertebral Body Tethering in Progressive Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis

Baron S. Lonner, MD

The family of healthy girl with progressive scoliosis, with a great deal of concern about spinal fusion (eg, flexibility, function)...
Failure to Recognize Traumatic Cervical Spinal Instability, C7-T1 Traumatic Cervical Spine Deformity

Amer Khalil, MD

An elderly male who suffered C7 and T1 fractures status post a motor vehicle accident, presented to our clinic 2 months after the...
Lumbar Adjacent Segment Disease

Mark E. Oppenlander, MD

A 72-year-old woman presents with low back pain and leg pain. Ten years ago, she underwent L4-S1 posterior decompression with...