Study design: This is a case report of Gorham disease of the spine with review of the literature.
Objective: To review the diagnosis, therapy, clinical course, and prognosis of Gorham disease of the spine.
Summary of background data: This is the 17th reported case of spinal involvement by this rare type of idiopathic osteolysis.
Methods: The patient was studied with radiographs, nuclear bone scans, computed tomography scans, magnetic resonance scans, and biopsies. His spine was stabilized by posterior and anterior rods, corpectomies, and bone grafts.
Results: The patient's spine had remained stable for 22 months after surgery, but intractable chylothoraces and spreading bone destruction were present.
Conclusions: Spinal Gorham disease has high morbidity and mortality, but the course in an individual patient is difficult to predict. Early spinal stabilization should be considered before irreversible neurologic complications occur.