title: Traumatic total axial reversal of the thoracic vertebral body.
abstract: Numerous vertebral fracture patterns have been reported in the literature. We present the case of a patient who sustained severe trauma to the back that resulted in a very unusual and not previously reported rotational injury consisting in complete 180 degrees rotation of the T6 vertebral body along a vertical axis, with only limited anteroposterior and lateral displacement. An unsuspected aortic tear resulted in severe evolution with fatal outcome following surgical attempt. The aetiology of such displacement is unknown. The possibility of late vascular complications should be kept in mind while treating thoracic spine fractures with rotational displacement.
authors.affiliation: Hôpital Raymond Poincaré, 104 Bd Raymond Poincaré, F-92380 Garches, France.
authors.forename: F P
authors.initials: FP
authors.lastname: Jacquot
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Signoret
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Feron
mesh_terms: D000062:Accidents, Occupational; D001019:Aortic Rupture / Q000209:etiology; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography; D012399:Rotation; D016103:Spinal Fractures / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae / Q000293:injuries*