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Child's Nervous System

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01-07-2018 | Case Report

Congenital cervical kyphosis in an infant with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome

Authors: Andrew J. Kobets, Daniel Komlos, John K. Houten

Published in: Child's Nervous System | Issue 7/2018

Abstract

Background

Ehler-Danlos syndome (EDS) refers to a group of heritable connective tissue disorders; rare manifestations of which are cervical kyphosis and clinical myelopathy. Surgical treatment is described for the deformity in the thoracolumbar spine in adolescents but not for infantile cervical spine. Internal fixation for deformity correction in the infantile cervical spine is challenging due to the diminutive size of the bony anatomy and the lack of spinal instrumentation specifically designed for young children. We describe the first case of successful surgical treatment in an infant with a high cervical kyphotic deformity in EDS.

Case presentation

A 15-month-old female with EDS presented with several months of regression in gross motor skills in all four extremities. Imaging demonstrated 45° of kyphosis from the C2–4 levels with spinal cord compression. Corrective surgery consisted of a C3 corpectomy and C2–4 anterior fusion with allograft block and anterior fixation with dual 2 × 2 hole craniofacial miniplates, supplemented by C2–4 posterior fusion using four craniofacial miniplates fixated to the lamina. Radiographs at 20 months post-surgery demonstrated solid fusion both anteriorly and posteriorly with maintenance of correction.

Conclusions

Ehlers-Danlos syndrome may present in the pediatric population with congenital kyphosis from cervical deformity in addition to the more commonly seen thoracolumbar deformities.

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Title: Congenital cervical kyphosis in an infant with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome
Authors: Andrew J. Kobets
Daniel Komlos
John K. Houten
Publication date: 01-07-2018
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: Child's Nervous System / Issue 7/2018
Print ISSN: 0256-7040
Electronic ISSN: 1433-0350
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00381-018-3750-9

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Congenital cervical kyphosis in an infant with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome

Abstract

Background

Case presentation

Conclusions

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Case presentation

Conclusions

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