title: Asymptomatic spinal canal migration of clavicular K-wire at the cervicothoracic junction.
abstract: Unstable clavicular fractures can be treated surgically with pins and wires or with plates. The migration of metallic devices such as Kirschner wires (K-wires) from the shoulder to a variety of anatomical proximal and distal locations is well documented. Spinal migration, however, is rare and is normally associated with severe spinal injury. This article presents the case of a man who presented with cervicothoracic migration of a K-wire after treatment of a clavicular fracture sustained during a sports accident. The distinctive feature in this case, when compared to the existing literature, is its fortuitous detection by imaging studies and its surgical removal without neurological sequelae.
authors.affiliation: Service de Neurochirurgie, Hôpital Foch, 92151 Suresnes, France.
authors.forename: Saad
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bennis
authors.forename: Pietro
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Scarone
authors.forename: Jean-François
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Lepeintre
authors.forename: Philippe
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Puyo
authors.forename: Sorin
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Aldea
authors.forename: Stephan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gaillard
mesh_terms: D001864:Bone Wires / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries; D002968:Clavicle / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery*; D005548:Foreign-Body Migration / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography; D013115:Spinal Canal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000293:injuries*; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries; D016896:Treatment Outcome