title: Esophageal injury from thoracic pedicle screw placement in a polytrauma patient: a case report and literature review.
abstract: The authors present a case report illustrating a visceral complication that may occur as result of thoracic pedicle screw placement. The case describes the previously unreported occurrence of esophageal impingement secondary to anterior vertebral body perforation by a pedicle screw at the third thoracic vertebra. This case highlights the challenge of thoracic pedicle screw placement and the importance of preoperatively measuring the maximum anterior-posterior dimension of the vertebral body.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Maryland Medical System/R. Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center, 22 South Greene Street, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA.
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: O'Brien
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Krushinski
authors.forename: C M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Zarro
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sciadini
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gelb
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ludwig
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001863:Bone Screws / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004947:Esophagus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009104:Multiple Trauma / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D011859:Radiography; D016103:Spinal Fractures / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries*; D014950:Wounds, Penetrating / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*