title: Upper sympathetic trunk lesion after video-assisted fracture stabilization of the thoracic spine: a case report.
abstract: This case report draws attention to the upper sympathetic trunk lesion as a complication of video-assisted thoracic spine surgery. A 39-year-old man developed an upper sympathetic trunk lesion after right-sided thoracoscopic fracture stabilization of T5 and T6. Dizziness and reduced perspiration persisted at the most recent follow-up 8 months after surgery. This rare complication can be overlooked and remain undiagnosed. Diagnosis is based on clinical symptoms and neurologic examination. There are no treatment options. Symptoms can be bothersome for the patient and may persist. In the upper thoracic spine, the course of the sympathetic trunk lies in close proximity of the vertebral bodies; thus, care must be taken to avoid it when resecting the posterior parts of the vertebral body.
authors.affiliation: Department of Trauma Surgery, Medical School of Hannover, Germany. Boris.Zelle@web.de
authors.forename: Boris
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Zelle
authors.forename: Johannes
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zeichen
authors.forename: Hans-Christoph
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Pape
authors.forename: Karin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Weissenborn
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Krettek
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001342:Autonomic Nervous System Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D004244:Dizziness / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic; D016103:Spinal Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D013131:Spine / Q000294:innervation*; D013546:Sweating; D020775:Thoracic Surgery, Video-Assisted / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries*; D013906:Thoracoscopy; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed