Marfan syndrome with back pain secondary to pedicular attenuation. A case report.

STUDY DESIGN

This is a report of a 31-year-old woman with Marfan syndrome with severe back pain secondary to pedicle fractures of the lumbar spine resulting from attenuation of the pedicles.

OBJECTIVES

To report and discuss a case of Marfan syndrome.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

The authors report the clinical course of a patient with Marfan syndrome and pedicle fractures secondary to thinning of the pedicles.

METHODS

After initial diagnosis of Marfan syndrome was confirmed, radiologic techniques, including magnetic resonance imaging and bone scan, were used to evaluate any abnormalities of the lumbar spine.

RESULTS

The patient was treated with pain medications and activity modification, which allowed for no marked improvement.

CONCLUSIONS

Thinning and possible fracturing of the pedicles should be considered as an etiology of back pain in the patient with Marfan syndrome.