Bertolotti's syndrome: a case report.

Author(s): Mitra R, Carlisle M

Affiliation(s): Interventional Spine Center, Division of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Stanford University School of Medicine, 300 Pasteur Dr., Edwards Bldg., Palo Alto, California 94305, USA. rrmitra@stanford.edu

Publication date & source: 2009-03, Pain Pract., 9(2):152-4. Epub 2008 Nov 19.

Publication type: Case Reports

STUDY DESIGN: A case report and literature review is presented. OBJECTIVE: To review relevant data for the management of Bertolotti's syndrome and to determine whether the transverse process-ilium articulation may be a pain generator. BACKGROUND: Bertolotti's syndrome is associated with axial low back pain secondary to arthritic changes; the pain generator in the disorder is unclear. METHODS: We present a case report of symptomatic Bertolotti's syndrome managed with intra-articular steroid injections. RESULTS: A patient with Bertolotti's syndrome had significant relief of axial pain after steroid injection of the ilium-transverse process articulation. CONCLUSIONS: Steroid therapy may be a non-surgical alternative for the treatment of symptomatic Bertolotti's syndrome.