Distraction injury to thoracic spine treated with thoracoscopic dual-rod fixation.
BACKGROUND
Thoracic hyperextension fracture-dislocation is a rare pattern of traumatic spinal injury, typically associated with gross spinal instability and severe neurological deficit. These extremely unstable injuries require internal fixation despite their potentially benign clinical presentation.


OBJECTIVE
We present a patient with a thoracic distraction injury who remained neurologically intact.


METHODS
The patient underwent thoracoscopic reduction and anterior fixation of the thoracic spine using a paired screw-rod construct.


RESULTS
Postoperatively, the patient remained neurologically intact and had no complications related to his thoracic fixation and fusion. Follow-up radiographs showed maintenance of thoracic alignment and bony fusion.


CONCLUSIONS
The endoscopic approach to the anterior thoracic spine was an excellent treatment option for this thoracic distraction injury.
Lekovic
Gregory P
GP
Division of Neurological Surgery, Barrow Neurological Institute, St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center, Phoenix, AZ 85013, USA.
Horn
Eric M
EM
Dickman
Curtis A
CA
D000063:Accidents, Traffic; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009049:Motorcycles; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D016103:Spinal Fractures / Q000601:surgery*; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae / Q000601:surgery*; D013906:Thoracoscopy / Q000379:methods; D016896:Treatment Outcome