Intracranial penetration of a halo pin causing an epileptic seizure.
A 71-year-old man with ankylosing spondylitis and an unstable fracture of the 6th and 7th cervical vertebrae was managed with a halo vest. Eight weeks following application the halo had shifted because of a loose pin. The patient's only complaint at the time was a headache but this was followed two days later by a seizure. An MR scan of the brain showed a swollen cortex under the right dorsal pin as a result of a perforation of the internal lamina by the pin. The halo was removed and anti-epileptic medication commenced. The patient had no further seizures.
Kingma
R
R
Haga Teaching Hospital, Leyweg 275, 2545 CH, The Hague, The Netherlands. renekingma@hotmail.com
Peters
J M
JM
Coene
L N J E M
LN
D000368:Aged; D001858:Bone Nails / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000293:injuries*; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D009989:Orthotic Devices / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016103:Spinal Fractures / Q000628:therapy*; D013167:Spondylitis, Ankylosing / Q000150:complications