Treatment of kyphotic deformity in Kümmell’s disease through vertebral body screw fixation and intertransverse process grafting: A case report

Abstract

Rationale: Kümmell’s disease, also well acknowledged as delayed posttraumatic vertebral body collapse, it is a rare condition which mainly occurs in elderly people more than 50 years old, with the thoracolumbar junction being mostly affected. Patient concerns: In this research, we employed posterior short-segment screw fixation within the injured vertebral region, coupled with intertransverse process bone grafting, to address Kümmell’s disease. A 57-year-old female was admitted to our institution with incapacitating back pain and obvious kyphotic deformity. Diagnoses: The diagnosis of Kummell disease was mainly depended on clinical symptoms and imaging examinations. Interventions: In this research, we employed posterior short-segment screw fixation within the injured vertebral region, coupled with intertransverse process bone grafting, to address Kümmell’s disease. Outcomes: The patient could walk independently with the help of a thoracolumbosacral orthosis brace on postoperative Day 2. No pains, kyphotic deformity and neurological deficits were observed during the 36 months of postoperative follow-up. These improvements can be visualized through postoperative magnetic resonance imaging and CT scans. Short-segment screw fixation provides short-term stability to the fracture site and accelerates fracture healing. Subsequently, the healed intervertebral and transverse process grafts offer long-term stability, a fact corroborated by postoperative CT scans. Lessons: In summary, for Kümmell’s disease patients exhibiting kyphotic deformity without neurological deficits or compression, posterior short-segment vertebral screw fixation with intertransverse process bone grafting stands as a viable alternative treatment approach.