Gibbus deformity

A gibbus deformity is a short-segment structural thoracolumbar kyphosis resulting in sharp angulation.

Pathology

Etiology

There are a number of causes which can be divided into congenital and acquired.

Congenital

• achondroplasia
• cretinism (congenital hypothyroidism)
• Apert syndrome
• Coffin-Lowry syndrome
• mucopolysaccharidoses
  • Hurler syndrome
  • Hunter syndrome
  • Maroteaux-Lamy syndrome

Acquired

• compression fracture / vertebra plana
  • osteoporosis
  • Langerhans cell histiocytosis
  • vertebral metastases
• osteomyelitis/discitis
  • pyogenic spinal osteomyelitis
  • tuberculosis (Pott disease)
• Scheuermann disease

History and etymology

Gibbus is Latin for "hump/hunch" and is related to the descriptor 'gibbous' in relation to phases of the moon.