Two hundred and forty-one consecutive anterior spine fusions for
tuberculosis were reviewed to determine how often late progressive kyphosis
occurred because of disproportionate growth of the posterior and anterior
elements. Three of thirty-one patients with objective roentgenographic
evidence of solid anterior fusion had an increase in kyphosis. Two of these
had findings suggestive of growth retardation of the anterior ring
epiphysis above the fusion mass. Posterior-element overgrowth in the third
patient could not be excluded as a cause.