MDCT Findings in Baastrup Disease: Disease or Normal Feature of the Aging Spine?

Abstract

Baastrup disease occurs with high frequency among the elderly. Our data show that it develops with increasing age and is part of the expected degenerative changes in the aging spine. Because of the nearly universal association with other degenerative changes, we urge caution before diagnosing Baastrup disease as the cause of back pain.

The posterior ligamentous complex inflammatory syndrome: spread of fluid and inflammation in the retrodural space of Okada

“…13,14 The adventitial bursae may be sizeable and irregular, extending into the adjacent multifidus musculature. Although kissing spines with eburnation is a common CT observation in the lumbar spine, 15 interspinous T2 hyperintensity and enhancement, suggesting an adventitial bursa, are reported in less than 10% of all patients who undergo lumbar MRI. 16 Interspinous signal change is more likely at levels of anterolisthesis.…”

The radiographic frequency of impingement of the dorsal spinous processes at purchase examination and its clinical significance in 220 warmblood sporthorses

“…A decade-on-decade increase in frequency of radiologic abnormalities of the spinous processes was found by Kwong et al (2010), with a peak in man above 80 years of age. The aetiopathogenesis is thought to be repetitive strain on the interspinous ligaments, which leads to degeneration and collapse of the ligaments, allowing contact between adjacent spinous processes (Sartoris 1985).…”

“…The aetiopathogenesis is thought to be repetitive strain on the interspinous ligaments, which leads to degeneration and collapse of the ligaments, allowing contact between adjacent spinous processes (Sartoris 1985). It is suggested that Baastrup disease is part of the expected degenerative changes in the aging spine and clearly associated with other degenerative changes, such as spondylolisthesis and loss of disk width (Kwong 2010). In our study radiographic exposures were focused on clear visualization of the DSPs without accurate assessment of facet joint or vertebral body abnormalities.…”

“…Only 17 % of the patients were free of complaints after surgery. Several studies (Beks 1989, Maes 2008, Kwong 2010) urge caution before diagnosing impingement of spinous processes as the cause of back pain. Based upon our study this suggestion also applies to equine warmblood athletes and illustrates the necessity to prove a causal relationship between the radiologically identified DSP changes and clinical complaints.…”

“…Impingement of spinous processes has also been recognized in man as Baastrup disease or kissing spines syndrome. In man the clinical significance remains unresolved (Maes 2008, Kwong 2010. Clinical signs of back-pain include reduced performance, ill-defined lameness (particularly in the pelvic limbs), bucking, resistance to saddling and sacro-iliac pain (Jeffcott 1980, Walmsley 2002, Dyson 2003, Landman 2004, Zimmerman 2012.…”