title: Unilateral S-1 root compression syndrome caused by fracture of the sacrum.
abstract: Unilateral S-1 nerve root compression after an S-1 sacral fracture was found in an 18-year-old man after a motor vehicle accident. The positive myelogram, myelogram-computed tomogram, and magnetic resonance studies led to surgical intervention. Marked bony callous formation contiguous with the S-1 alar fracture protruded into the canal and was responsible for tethering the S-1 nerve root. A right L-5 hemilaminectomy, an L-4, L-5 and L-5, S-1 medial facetectomy, and foraminotomy facilitated nerve root decompression. Postoperatively, the patient was markedly improved. The authors suggest a more aggressive attitude in the diagnostic, radiographic, and surgical management of sacral fractures now that more specific technical facilities are available to define the precise character of the lesions involved.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002146:Bony Callus / Q000601:surgery; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009192:Myelography; D009408:Nerve Compression Syndromes / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D012447:Sacrum / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries*; D013126:Spinal Nerve Roots / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014945:Wound Healing