Air in the spinal canal associated with trauma.
Air in the spinal canal after trauma is uncommon. We report a case of a motor vehicle accident resulting in a thoracic fracture-dislocation. Air was discovered within the spinal canal on a computed tomography (CT) scan. This injury pattern proved to be a diagnostic dilemma because multiple etiologies existed. Pneumothorax, ruptured esophagus, facial sinus fractures, and herniated vertebral discs can result in this entity.
McIntosh
Scott E
SE
Department of Traumatology and Emergency Medicine, Hartford Hospital, Hartford, Connecticut, USA.
Salcedo-Dovi
Hector
H
Cortes
Vicente
V
D000063:Accidents, Traffic; D000368:Aged; D000388:Air; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013115:Spinal Canal / Q000293:injuries*; D016103:Spinal Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014949:Wounds, Nonpenetrating / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery