Case report
Multilevel myelopathy in Maroteaux–Lamy syndrome and review of the literature

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Abstract

An 18-year-old male with Maroteaux–Lamy syndrome was presented with spastic quadriparesis. Magnetic resonance imaging of whole spinal canal revealed stenosis at multiple levels of cervical, thoracic and lumbar regions. By the guidance of combined evaluations of neurological examination, neuroradiological and electrophysiological findings, the most responsible spinal segment was detected each time he developed myelopathy and he underwent craniocervical, cervical and thoracolumbar decompressions consecutively. Ligamentum flavum hypertrophy was found to be the principal pathology responsible for the cord compression and myelopathy for all levels. The etiology of myelopathy and priority of the level for which decompression should be done in diffuse spinal stenosis were discussed with the literature review of Maroteaux–Lamy syndrome.

Introduction

The mucopolysaccharidoses are a group of inherited lysosomal storage diseases that cause disorders in the metabolism of mucopolysaccharides. Excess intracellular deposition of mucopolysaccharides within various connective tissues including the brain, dura mater, cerebral vasculature, and supporting ligaments accounts for the clinical manifestation of these disorders [1]. They are classified into seven syndromes according to the sort of enzyme deficiencies, the pattern of mucopolysacchariduria, and the clinical features [2].

Type VI mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS VI), or Maroteaux–Lamy syndrome, was first delineated by Maroteaux and Lamy in 1963 and is characterized by the accumulation of partially degraded dermatan sulfate due to the deficiency of the enzyme galactosamine-4-sulfate sulfatase (arylsulfatase B) [3]. Clinical features of MPS VI are growth retardation, facial dysmorphism, hirsutizm, corneal opacification, organomegaly, upper airway obstruction, cardiomyopathy, and valvular heart disease. Skelatal dysplasia can be pronounced and a number of patients have severe growth retardation secondary to widespread bony changes. Intellectual involvement is not a feature of this disease [1], [2].

Patients with MPS VI may need neurosurgical interventions for the hydrocephalus, spinal disorders and compressive neuropathies [1], [2], [4], [5], [6], [7], [8]. Spinal compressive myelopathy could particularly be complicated due to diffuse stenosis of whole spinal canal. We report the case of an 18-year-old patient with Maroteaux–Lamy syndrome who had complex neurological findings with the stenosis throughout the cervical, thoracic and lumbar regions due to the thickened ligamentum flavum documented in neuroradiological diagnostic measures. The role of electrophysiological studies is discussed in surgical timing and priority, and postoperative follow-up of affected spinal levels in MPS VI patients.

Section snippets

Case report

The 2-year-old male patient was first admitted to the hospital with delay in speech. Metabolic and genetic work-up resulted in the diagnosis of mucopolysaccharidosis type VI (Maroteaux–Lamy syndrome).

He re-admitted at age of 18 again with difficulty in walking, stiffness in lower extremities, and restriction of movement in his shoulders, elbows and knees.

He was consulted to neurosurgery with physical and neurological examination revealing typical physical and facial appearance of MPS VI. He had

Discussion

Patients with MPS VI may present with a wide spectrum of neurological symptoms. The disease involves the central nervous system and the musculoskeletal system. Patients with MPS VI may need neurosurgical interventions for the hydrocephalus, spinal disorders and compressive neuropathies [1], [2], [4], [5], [6], [7], [8].

Compression of the spinal cord is one of the major clinical features of MPS VI. Depositions of mucopolysaccharides in the dura mater and supporting ligaments, kyphoscoliosis, and

Conclusion

Since the quality of life and life expectancy of patients is improved after the transplantation, aggressive neurosurgical management of MPS VI associated pathologies is recommended. Insidious development of neurological symptoms and the dramatic improvement after neurosurgical intervention is impressive. Electrophysiological studies are useful in spinal canal stenosis for observing the clinical progression, deciding the surgical timing and level of compression, and postoperative follow-up of

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    Neurologically intact patients are assessed through clinical and imaging studies, and surgery is indicated when pathologic findings appear [9,15]. Spinal cord myelomalacia associated with stenosis of the cervical canal is a very common finding in MPS [5,16,17]. Our series of eight patients presented myelomalacia, three with dynamic C1–C2 instability and five with static stenosis secondary to GAG deposits.

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