title: Pneumorachis: a possible source of traumatic cord compression.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Pitié-Salpétrière Hospital, Paris Public Assistance Hospitals group, Paris VI University, 47-83, boulevard de l'Hôpital, 75013 Paris, France.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ould-Slimane
authors.forename: M-A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Ettori
authors.forename: J-Y
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Lazennec
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Pascal-Moussellard
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Catonne
authors.forename: M-A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Rousseau
mesh_terms: 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