A Case of Lumbar Spinal Canal Stenosis due to Achondroplasia

Abstract

A female achondroplastic dwarf was referred because of intermittent claudication, complained for 4 months, with numbness and dull sensation in her legs. She had slight bowel and rectum disturbance.
This 45 year-old female was 112cm in tall, weighed 40kg, and had short arms and legs, hyperlordosis of the lumbar spine, and moderate kyphosis at the thoraco-lumbar level.
Sensation was diminished over the L1 to L5 and S1 dermatomes.
Lumbar puncture was unsuccessful and myelogram by cisternal puncture was done which revealed total block between the L1 and L2 level.
Operation: Total laminectomy at L1 through L5 was carried out.
The laminae were thick and pedicles were all short and thick. The dura and nerveroots were compressed extremely. After the laminectomy the widening of the canal was done including foraminotomy. There was no evidence of a ruptured disc. The dura was not opened. Post operative course was very good and four months later she can walk well without complaints in her legs.