title: Delayed presentation of a thoracic aortic injury with a vertebral pedicle screw.
abstract: Iatrogenic aortic injuries by pedicle screws are rare but serious complications of spinal fixation surgery. We report the case of a 55-year-old man who underwent surgical correction of traumatic thoracic vertebral fractures at another institution. At 6-month follow-up, computed tomography revealed a nonhealing of the fractures, and a T4 misplaced pedicle screw penetrating the descending thoracic aorta. The patient underwent open aortic repair associated with the anterior vertebral column reconstruction and posterior arthrodesis revision by a vascular and orthopedic surgery team simultaneously.
authors.affiliation: Vascular Surgery, Bologna University, S. Orsola Malpighi Policlinic, Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Freyrie
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gasbarrini
authors.forename: Christiano Esteves
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Simoes
authors.forename: Enrico
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Gallitto
authors.forename: Mauro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gargiulo
mesh_terms: D000792:Angiography; D001013:Aorta, Thoracic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries*; D001018:Aortic Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D001863:Bone Screws / Q000009:adverse effects*; D057210:Delayed Diagnosis; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012253:Rib Fractures / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae / Q000601:surgery*; D013997:Time Factors; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014656:Vascular Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods