ALKAPTONURIC PATIENT PRESENTING WITH BLACK DISC AND MULTIPLE SCHMORL’S NODES.

The clinical manifestation of ochronosis is blackish discolouration of collagen due to binding of pigment benzoquinone to collagen which leads to degradation and destruction of cartilage. In spine, it involves the disc, endplates and ligaments leading to early degeneration. We present a case where patient presented with short history of right lower limb radiculopathy and weakness. MRI showed osteolytic lesion at L5 right sub pedicular region and multi level disc degeneration with multiple schmorl’s nodes. Differential diagnosis of osteoid osteoma was considered. Alkaptonuria was diagnosed intraoperatively after encountering black disc. Here we describe the clinical and radiological features with review of relevant literature.