Spinal Cord Stimulator Implantation in a Patient With Diffuse Idiopathic Skeletal Hyperostosis: Case Report.

Background: Diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH) is a noninflammatory skeletal disorder causing calcifications and ossification of ligaments and tendons. We present a patient with undiagnosed DISH in whom a spinal cord stimulator (SCS) provided adequate pain relief while the disease progressed to become debilitating.

Case report: The patient is a 66-year-old woman with an SCS placed for lower back pain due to degenerative changes. The patient presented to the emergency department with progressive right-sided lower extremity weakness and a 3-day history of urinary incontinence. Computed tomography showed new osteophytes consistent with DISH throughout the thoracic spine to the level of T10-T11.

Conclusions: Our aim with this case report is to demonstrate the importance of preoperative imaging as well as follow-up imaging to evaluate the progression of DISH and having an extensive conversation with patients about whether an SCS is the right choice to manage their pain.