Kümmell's disease: a case report and literature review.

Study Design. A case report and literature review of Kummell's disease. Objective. To describe a case that meets modern criteria for Kummell's disease and discuss the literature on this. Summary of Background Data. Over 100 years ago, Hermann Kummell described a condition in which patients sustained a "trivial" trauma, had an essentially asymptomatic period lasting weeks to months, then developed a painful, progressive angular kyphosis. Only with the advent of radiograph technology, and the radiographic demonstration of delayed vertebral body collapse, was this concept felt to be valid. There has been a renewed interest in this as a diagnostic entity. Methods. A patient is presented who developed worsening midback pain weeks after a minor fall. He subsequently was found to have T9, and T10 destructive vertebral body lesions. Results. Only after an extensive workup, including 3 biopsies of the affected area was the diagnosis of Kummell's disease considered and surgical treatment performed. Conclusion. Delayed vertebral body collapse, i.e., Kummell's disease, needs to be considered in any patient with recurrent or worsening spinal symptoms. Under-recognition of this condition leads to delayed diagnosis and treatment.