Traumatic T9 burst fracture in an 8-month-old infant: incomplete neurologic deficit and its recovery.
METHODS
Case report of a rare burst fracture of the ninth thoracic vertebra in an 8-month-old male infant.


OBJECTIVE
To describe a rare traumatic lesion in an infant.


BACKGROUND
There are two reported cases of fracture-dislocation in an infant in the literature, both of which were managed surgically. However, this is the first reported clinical case of burst fracture in an infant.


METHODS
The patient was treated conservatively and observed for 40 months. His spine was examined by using roentgenography and magnetic resonance imaging. His neurologic condition was evaluated by clinical examination and somatosensory-evoked potential (SEP).


RESULTS
The infant became ambulant with no need for support 2 years after injury. At that time, the burst vertebra was remodeling gradually and showed no spinal deformity.


CONCLUSIONS
Fracture-dislocation of the spine with neurologic deficit requires surgical management. However, burst fracture can be managed conservatively, provided the neurologic condition improves.
Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Kawasaki Medical School, Okayama, Japan.
M
M
Sugimoto
Y
Y
Mikawa
D000063:Accidents, Traffic; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D020127:Recovery of Function / Q000502:physiology; D012622:Seat Belts / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D016103:Spinal Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries* / Q000473:pathology*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000502:physiology; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*