Exclusive Neurogenic Bladder and Fecal Incontinency in an Achondroplasic Child Successfully Treated with Lumbar Foraminal Decompression

Flavio Giordano; Matteo Lenge; Pierarturo Donati; Lorenzo Mongardi; Gianpiero Di Giacomo; Regina Mura; Maria Taverna; Chiara Cini; Simone Peraio; Giovanni Poggi; Germana Tuccinardi; Sabrina Giglio; Lorenzo Genitori

doi:10.1159/000517652

Exclusive Neurogenic Bladder and Fecal Incontinency in an Achondroplasic Child Successfully Treated with Lumbar Foraminal Decompression

Pediatr Neurosurg. 2021;56(5):471-476. doi: 10.1159/000517652. Epub 2021 Jul 28.

Authors

Affiliations

¹ Department of Neurosurgery, Children's Hospital A. Meyer-University of Florence, Florence, Italy.
² Department of Neurosurgery, Children's Hospital A. Meyer-University of Florence, Florence, Italy, [email protected].
³ Department of Neuroscience, Child Neurology Unit, Children's Hospital A. Meyer-University of Florence, Florence, Italy, [email protected].
⁴ Department of Neurosurgery, Nuovo Ospedale Cona, University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy.
⁵ Department of Neuroscience, Child Neurology Unit, Children's Hospital A. Meyer-University of Florence, Florence, Italy.
⁶ Department of Surgery, Pediatric Urology Unit, Children's Hospital A. Meyer-University of Florence, Florence, Italy.
⁷ Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital A. Meyer-University of Florence, Florence, Italy.
⁸ Neuroanesthesiology Unit, Children's Hospital A. Meyer-University of Florence, Florence, Italy.
⁹ Clinical Genetics Unit, Children's Hospital A. Meyer-University of Florence, Florence, Italy.

PMID: 34320505
DOI: 10.1159/000517652

Abstract

Introduction: Achondroplasia is a genetic disorder characterized by defects in the development of endochondral bone resulting in skeletal abnormalities like stenosis of the foramen magnum and of the spine, shortened limb bones, and macrocephaly. Congenital spinal stenosis is frequent and due to premature fusion of the pedicles to the laminae.

Case presentation: We report a case of neurogenic bladder and fecal incontinence due to lumbar stenosis successfully treated with L1-L5 partial laminectomy and foraminotomy in a 7-year-old achondroplasic child.

Discussion/conclusion: To our knowledge, this is the first case report of exclusive neurogenic bladder and fecal incontinence in an achondroplasic child. Neurogenic bladder and fecal incontinence without motor impairment may be early and exclusive clinical findings of lumbar stenosis in children with achondroplasia.

Keywords: Achondroplasia; Foraminotomy; Laminectomy; Lumbar stenosis; Neurogenic bladder.

Publication types

Case Reports

MeSH terms

Child
Decompression, Surgical
Fecal Incontinence*
Humans
Lumbar Vertebrae / diagnostic imaging
Lumbar Vertebrae / surgery
Urinary Bladder, Neurogenic* / etiology
Urinary Bladder, Neurogenic* / surgery