DOI: 10.36347/sjams.2015.v03i01.007

Pages: 24-28

Inappropriate fusion of vertebrae results in block vertebrae or vertebral synostosis or spinal fusion. Fusion of the vertebrae may be congenital or acquired. The fusion may be complete or incomplete involving the bodies of the vertebrae alone or along with vertebral arch. It affects most commonly the cervical region, followed by thoracic and lumbar regions. During the formation of vertebral column, in the fourth week of intrauterine life the sclerotome part of the somites migrate around the notochord and the neural tube and undergoes a process called re-segmentation. Any defect in such a process can lead to vertebral anomalies causing neurological signs and symptoms. The condition is acquired in trauma, tuberculosis and juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. This can lead to wide complication affecting different systems of the body. The fusion of thoracic vertebrae can present many clinical signs including formation of abnormal curvatures of the spine like scoliosis, etc. The incidence of fused thoracic vertebrae varied from 1.6% to 4.16% in literature. The aim of the study is to present a case of thoracic vertebral fusion. During an inspection of the osteological collection of Anatomy Department of Shadan Institute of Medical Sciences, Hyderabad, one specimen of fused vertebrae in which there was fusion between three typical thoracic vertebrae was found. The features of this block vertebra were analysed in detail and the specimen was photographed from different aspects. The embryological and clinical significance of fused vertebrae is been discussed in this paper.