Complete fracture-dislocation of the thoracolumbar spine without paraplegia.
Complete fracture-dislocation of thoracolumbar spine without significant neurologic deficits is a rare entity. The possible mechanism may result from the spontaneous decompressive fractures of the spinal elements with sparing of the spinal cord. Here, we report a case of a healthy 50-year-old man who presented with complete fracture-dislocation of T12 through L1 vertebrae without paraplegia. Early diagnosis and early surgery with decompression, reduction, and stabilization is the best policy in management of this unstable spine injury.
Department of Neurological Surgery, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei 114, Taiwan, Republic of China.
Cheng-Ta
CT
Hsieh
Guann-Juh
GJ
Chen
Chung-Che
CC
Wu
Yih-Huei
YH
Su
D000058:Accidental Falls; D019299:Decompression, Surgical; D006801:Humans; D004204:Joint Dislocations / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016103:Spinal Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed