Abstract
Gorham syndrome is a rare disease that presents as progressive osteolysis and may affect any part of the skeleton. The pathologic process involves the replacement of normal bone by aggressively expanding but non-neoplastic vascular tissue resulting in massive osteolysis of the adjacent bone. If the spine and ribs are affected, the subsequent kyphosis and chest wall deformity may cause severe restrictive ventilatory impairment.
Here is a report of a 34-year-old male with Gorham syndrome presenting as progressive kyphosis with severe back pain and unstable gait. He also had exertional dyspnea. Pulmonary function test revealed severe restrictive ventilatory impairment. He underwent spinal operation but could not be extubated after surgery. Post-operative pulmonary complications of left lower lung pneumonia and respiratory failure required prolonged mechanical ventilation. After a weaning program of pressure support ventilation and T-piece trials, the patient was successfully weaned from mechanical ventilation.
Footnotes
- ↵*Correspondence and requests for reprints: Chou-Chin Lan, MD, PhD, Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Buddhist Tzu-Chi General Hospital, Taipei Branch, Taiwan, #289, Jianguo Road, Xindian City, New Taipei City 23142, Taiwan, Republic of China, Tel: +886-2-6628-9779 ext. 2259; Fax: +886-2-6628-9009, E-mail: bluescopy{at}yahoo.com.tw
The authors have no financial or other potential conflicts of interest to disclose.
- Copyright © 2013 by Daedalus Enterprises Inc.