Unknown Case
Hofmeyr Viljoen, MD,* and Jason Crane, MD†
A 61-year-old farm laborer presented to the orthopedic outpatient clinic complaining of severe back pain radiating down his right leg. He had a history of a previous episode 7 years ago when he underwent posterior spinal surgery without instrumentation. He was unsure of his previous diagnosis but had been told that the cause was "parasites." On examination, he had multiple skin nodules and a posterior midline surgical scar from T11 to L5 region. The neurologic examination proved normal with only subjective weakness in his right leg. Radiographs demonstrated T12 vertebra plana. Echinococcus Granulosum serology was negative. Magnetic resonance imaging was performed to further work-up the patient (Figures 1–4).
Figure 1. Sagittal T2 MRI of the spine.
Figure 2. Sagittal T2 MRI of the spine.
Figure3. Axial T2 MRI of the spine.
Figure 4. Postgadolinium Sagittal T1 of the spine.
From the Departments *Radiology, and †Orthopaedic Surgery, Tygerberg Hospital, University of Stellenbosch, Cape Town, South Africa. The manuscript submitted does not contain information about medical device(s)/drug(s). No funds were received in support of this work. No benefits in any form have been or will be received from a commercial party related directly or indirectly to the subject of this manuscript. Address correspondence to reprint requests to Dr Hofmeyr Viljoen, Department of Radiology, Tygerberg Hospital, University of Stellenbosch, Cape Town, South Africa; E-mail: hviljoen74@yahoo.com
As a full time orthopaedic surgeon at Mediclinic Cape Town, Doctor Jason Crane offers advanced orthopaedic care in a state-of-the-art medical facility on the slopes of Table Mountain.
Click here to reveal phone number
jason@capetownorthopaedic.co.za
Mediclinic Cape Town, Suite B105, 1st Floor (Doctors Block)
21 Hof Street, Oranjezicht, Cape Town, South Africa