{"id":"4b8c033e-d933-4171-bff4-8d4925c6d8b4","slug":"neglected-alkaptonuric-patient-presented-with-low-back-pain-and-radiculopathy-a-case-report","title":"Neglected alkaptonuric patient presented with low back pain and radiculopathy: A case report","authors":["Mohammad Moein Vakilzadeh","Sajjad Saghebdoust","Bita Abbasi","Reza Zare"],"abstract":"Background: Alkaptonuria (AKU) is a rare hereditary disorder in which excess homogentisic acid (HGA) deposits in connective tissues (ochronosis). Here, we report the unusual presentation of a lumbar disc herniation occurring in a patient with AKU warranting surgical intervention. Case Description: A 28-year-old male presented with 1 year of low back pain. The lumbar magnetic resonance imaging showed an extruded disc at the L4-L5 level accompanied extensive disc space narrowing and osteophyte formation. At surgery, the interspinous ligaments, facet joints, and disc herniation were black. In addition, the postoperative re-examination revealed a black discoloration of the nasal and ear cartilage. Finally, the diagnosis of AKU was confirmed when the urine specimen was positive for HGA. Conclusion: Rarely, younger patients with AKU who develop excess black deposits of HGA in connective tissues (i.e., ochronosis) may present with lumbar disc herniations and spondylosis.","thumbnailUrl":"https://sni-digital-videos.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/4b8c033e-d933-4171-bff4-8d4925c6d8b4/featured/hero-1781561691760.png","publishDate":"2022-01-12T00:00:00.000Z","doi":"10.25259/SNI_1178_2021","categories":["Spine","Case Report"],"fullTextUrl":"https://surgicalneurologyint.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/11337/SNI-13-15.pdf"}