Dural ectasia associated with spontaneous dislocation of the upper part of the thoracic spine in neurofibromatosis. A case report and review of the literature

Neurofibromatosis is a condition in which the spine often is affected (10 to 60 per cent of patients). The most commonly reported spinal deformity is thoracic kyphoscoliosis, but instability of spinal segments leading to subluxation or dislocation has been reported to occur, although much less frequently. In this paper we report the case of a child who had neurofibromatosis and in whom a spontaneous, complete dislocation in the upper part of the thoracic spine developed without neurological compromise.