PMC7355359_01
Thoracic osteophytes spanning vertebral bodies of T6 to T11. Arrows indicate T6 vertebral body, and the arrowhead the anterior longitudinal ligament. (a) Superior in situ view. (b) Left superolateral, close-up view.
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fig1
These were noted to arise from the anterolateral vertebral bodies of T6 to T11 and to bridge the intervening IVDs (Figure 1). The anterior longitudinal ligament was partially degraded where it contacted the osteophytes between T6 and T9 (Figure 1(b)).
Disarticulated spine showing posterior fusion hardware and osteophytes. Arrows indicate T9 vertebral body. (a) Posterior view of entire spine. (b) Right, lateral, close-up view showing relationship of fusion hardware and osteophytes.
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fig2
This exposed the pedicle screws and rods spanning from T9 to L3 bilaterally, overlapping the thoracic osteophytes by two segments (Figure 2).
Section of disarticulated spine showing seam within osteophyte spanning T6-T7 IVD (arrowhead) and IVD tissue (arrow) contained within osteophyte spanning T7-T8 IVD.
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fig3
A seam over the middle of the intervening IVD, a hallmark of SD, showed clearly where the bony contributions from the involved vertebral bodies intersected (Figure 3). A wedge cut into one of the osteophytes was then made and IVD tissue was noted within the bone tissue surrounding the osteophyte (Figure 3).