Severe heterotopic ossification in a seronegative spondyloarthritis patient after cervical Bryan disc arthroplasty: A case report

BACKGROUND: Cervical disc arthroplasty (CDA) is an alternative treatment to traditional interbody fusion that maintains postoperative cervical spine mobility. However, the CDA postoperative period is impacted by osteolysis, subsidence, metallosis, or heterotopic ossification (HO). We report a case of severe HO in a seronegative spondyloarthritis patient after cervical Bryan disc arthroplasty. CASE SUMMARY: A 34-year-old man received hybrid surgery for C4-C5 and C5-C6 arthroplasty with Bryan discs and C6-C7 arthrodesis with polyetheretherketone cage due to traumatic herniation of the intervertebral disc (HIVD). After four years, cervical spine radiographs revealed severe HO around the Bryan discs over the C4-C5 and C5-C6 levels. The magnetic resonance image revealed HIVD over the C3-C4 level with spinal cord compression. Seronegative spondyloarthritis was diagnosed after consultation with a rheumatologist. A second CDA for the adjacent segment disease HIVD with Baguera C disc over the C3-C4 level achieved an excellent outcome. CONCLUSION: Minimizing intraoperative tissue trauma and achieving postoperative interbody stability avoid soft tissue traction to prevent HO formation after CDA.