[Spinal cord compression in bone fluorosis. Apropos of 4 cases]

Rev Med Interne. 1995;16(7):533-5. doi: 10.1016/0248-8663(96)80750-8.
[Article in French]

Abstract

The authors report four cases of spinal cord compression (three at cervical level and one at dorsal level) due to vertebral osteosclerosis secondary to chronic fluoride intoxication. Roentgenograms showed typical diffuse densification of vertebral bodies, calcifications of bony insertions of many ligaments, discs and interosseous membranes. Urinary fluoride was markedly increased in two cases. In the other two cases the bone biopsy was suggestive of skeletal fluorosis. Spinal computed tomography showed severe cord compression due to posterior osteophytes. Good improvement was observed after surgical decompression in one case. Fluorosis was described as a consequence of endemic exposure to high fluoride content in soil and natural ground water in North Africa. Fluorotic myelopathy was due to bone excrescences mainly affecting the spine.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Bone Diseases / chemically induced*
  • Cervical Vertebrae
  • Chronic Disease
  • Female
  • Fluoride Poisoning / complications*
  • Fluoride Poisoning / surgery
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Ossification, Heterotopic / complications
  • Spinal Cord Compression / etiology*
  • Spinal Cord Compression / surgery
  • Spinal Osteophytosis / complications*
  • Spinal Osteophytosis / surgery