Correspondence Address:
Pankaj N Surange
IPSC India Chain of Single Speciality Hospitals, Dwaraka, New Delhi
India

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Baastrup's disease (Baastrup syndrome) or “kissing spine” syndrome is a common pathology of the vertebral column. In this disorder, there is close approximation and contact of the spinous processes of adjacent vertebrae in the setting of degenerative spine disease.[1],[2] The impingement of the hypertrophied spinous processes may lead to a reactive sclerosis, remodelling, and spinal degeneration.[3] This syndrome is generally missed by clinicians; therefore, it is underdiagnosed and subsequently mistreated.

Here, we present a case that we came across as our outpatient. The patient is a 61-year-old female who presented with chronic, ongoing, low back pain of several years duration. The pain radiated to both legs and was associated with paresthesia and stiffness. Pain was associated with numbness after walking few steps. Her pain aggravated with extension of the back and relieved with flexion. She had been managed conservatively by various specialities over the last few years but with no improvement.

Clinical examination revealed paraspinal muscle and midline tenderness from L2 to L5, SLR Rt 40°, Lt 50°.

After history and clinical examination, we made a differential diagnosis of lumbar spondyolisthesis and lumbar canal stenosis and ordered magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) lumbosacral spine.

MRI revealed facetal arthropathy with facetal cyst compromising the lumbar canal.

With history, clinical findings and MRI images [Figure 1], [Figure 2], [Figure 3] we diagnosed this as a case of Baastrup's disease.{Figure 1}{Figure 2}{Figure 2}

This patient was managed by image-guided facetal aspiration and injection of local anesthetic and long-acting steroids under local anesthesia.

The procedural images are as follows [Figure 4] and [Figure 5]:{Figure 4}{Figure 5}

The patient was followed up monthly for pain relief telephonically. She remained pain free.

 Discussion

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