ABSTRACT
The dystrophic type of neurofibromatosis is a well-known bizarre deformity of the spine. There has been little literature about spontaneous vertebral column dislocation in the thoracic spine with progressive neurological symptoms. The authors present a case of thoracic spine dislocation vertically and transversely with intact posterior elements. A 35-year-old woman had stooping and back pain for five years. She developed motor weakness of both lower extremities three months ago. Plain X-ray and three-dimensional CT scans showed dislocation between T5 and T6 vertebrae, that were which was translated transversely and vertically with severe resorption of vertebral pedicles of T5 and T6. After skeletal traction, motor weakness was improved. And we performed two-staged anterior and posterior fusion to stabilize severe kyphoscoliosis. The patient was improved neurologically with free ambulation state at 24-month follow-up. Combined anterior and posterior fusion was an effective method for the treatment spontaneous vertebral column dislocation in the thoracic spine with progressive neurological symptoms.