Seizure-induced lumbar burst fracture associated with conus medullaris-cauda equina compression.
A 36-year-old male developed a burst fracture of the L1 vertebra following a seizure. The patient experienced conus-cauda equina compression resulting in urinary retention and patchy sensory loss. An MRI of the spine revealed short tau inversion recovery (STIR) hyperintensity at L1 with 70% loss of vertebral body height, 8-mm posterior bony retropulsion into the spinal canal and T2-weighted hyperintensity in the cord, which is consistent with cord edema. A thorough physical exam and imaging is critical for immediate diagnosis of spine injuries to prevent grave neurological complications.
Sharma
Ashish
A
Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA. ashishdoc84@yahoo.co.in
Avery
Laura
L
Novelline
Robert
R
D000328:Adult; D002420:Cauda Equina / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries; D019299:Decompression, Surgical / Q000379:methods*; D050815:Fractures, Compression / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000293:injuries* / Q000473:pathology; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D011182:Postoperative Care / Q000379:methods; D035583:Rare Diseases; D020127:Recovery of Function; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012640:Seizures / Q000150:complications*; D013117:Spinal Cord Compression / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D016103:Spinal Fractures / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods; D016896:Treatment Outcome