Pneumorachis: a possible source of traumatic cord compression.
The presence of air within the spinal canal secondary to trauma is a rare condition. These rare cases are generally asymptomatic. We report our first case of closed thoracic trauma with pneumorachis associated with neurological disorders. According to a review of the literature and after personal record analysis, neurologic symptoms can be correlated to the occurrence of intraspinal air. Therefore pneumorachis appears as a possible cause of traumatic spinal cord compression. In this particular case, pneumorachis spontaneously resolved and early outcome was favourable.
Ould-Slimane
M
M
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Pitié-Salpétrière Hospital, Paris Public Assistance Hospitals group, Paris VI University, 47-83, boulevard de l'Hôpital, 75013 Paris, France.
Ettori
M-A
MA
Lazennec
J-Y
JY
Pascal-Moussellard
H
H
Catonne
Y
Y
Rousseau
M-A
MA
D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011030:Pneumothorax / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D013117:Spinal Cord Compression / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D016103:Spinal Fractures / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae / Q000293:injuries*; D055815:Young Adult