[Dorsal medullary compression in vertebral hyperostosis].

The authors present two observations of dorsal medullary compression by intraspinal benign osseous proliferations developing in subjects who present with anterior vertebral hyperostosis. In the second observation operative intervention confirmed the site and nature of the lesion. The authors have researched the same radiological findings in other cases of vertebral hyperostosis. They describe the lesions which are of considerable practical importance as they are able to injure the spinal cord and the nerve roots, resulting in a hyperostotic dorsal myelopathy. All unexplained paraplegias should be investigated for such lesions by meticulous tomographic studies.