Refractory Tietze’s Syndrome Occurring after Lumbar Spine Surgery in Prone Position

Abstract

Positional complications in spine surgery are not uncommon. Commonly encountered complications include ocular and aural, other than musculoskeletal injuries. However, development of Tietze's syndrome due to malpositioning has not been reported till date. A 40-year-old male patient presented with postlaminectomy syndrome, for which posterior pedicle screw fixation and fusion was performed. Postoperatively, patient complained of new-onset pain associated with redness and swelling at parasternal region. After thorough radiological investigations, he was diagnosed with Tietze's syndrome at 6th and 7th costo-cartilaginous junction. Tietze's syndrome is itself a rare entity, and its association with malpositioning during prone positioning is uncommon. It is important for the surgeons to be aware of the condition as Tietze's syndrome may be encountered as an off-centered complication due to malpositioning.