Laceration of abdominal aorta by a fragment of fractured L2 vertebral body after a low-energy injury: a case report and review of literature.
METHODS
A rare case of direct injury to the wall of abdominal aorta caused by a displaced fracture of the L2 vertebral body resulting from a low-energy injury. Potential injury mechanism and predisposing factors are discussed along with a review of literature pertaining to the subject.


OBJECTIVE
To describe a unique case of direct aortic wall injury caused by a displaced vertebral body fracture.


BACKGROUND
The literature on aortic wall injuries after vertebral fractures is reviewed. So far, only the injuries of the thoracic aorta were extensively described. Injuries of the abdominal aorta are much less frequent and usually associated with high-energy trauma. However, coexisting disorders, predisposing the patient to thoracolumbar vertebral body fractures (e.g., osteoporosis, chronic alcoholism) and aortic wall injuries (atherosclerosis) make aforementioned complication possible, despite the low-energy mechanism of injury.


METHODS
A clinical and radiographical interpretation of the reported case is presented.


RESULTS
Laceration of abdominal aorta was caused by a sharp, anteriorly displaced bone fragment of the fractured L2 vertebral body.


CONCLUSIONS
The reported case adds to the literature on vertebral fractures by describing another mechanism leading to aortic wall disruption. Similar vascular complications may be identified more frequently in the future given the high prevalence of osteoporosis and atherosclerosis in the general population.
Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland. sdudko@wp.pl
Sławomir
S
Dudko
Damian
D
Kusz
Damian
D
Ziaja
Błażej
B
Kusz
D001012:Aorta, Abdominal / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery; D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D015897:Comorbidity; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D006801:Humans; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D016103:Spinal Fractures / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D013123:Spinal Fusion; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014656:Vascular Surgical Procedures; D057772:Vascular System Injuries / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology