complications

Last edited 11/2019 and last reviewed 12/2020

Complications

  • if a patient with DISH sustains spine fractures are at increased risk of instability due to ligamentous calcification and increased deforming forces secondary to vertebral ankylosis
  • there is evidence that surgical treatment of cervical fractures in elderly patients with DISH correlates with a 15% rate of mortality compared to 67% after conservative treatment, highlighting the importance of prompt diagnosis, evaluation, and treatment after trauma in patients with DISH (1)
  • heterotopic ossification is a frequent complication following total hip arthroplasty in patients with DISH (30 t0 56%) - compares to 10 to 22% in patients without DISH

Reference:

  • Meyer PR. Diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis in the cervical spine. Clin. Orthop. Relat. Res. 1999 Feb;(359):49-57.
  • David Luo T, Varacallo M. Diffuse Idiopathic Skeletal Hyperostosis (DISH). StatPearls.