title: Transverse sacral fractures and concomitant late-diagnosed cauda equina syndrome.
abstract: Transverse sacral fractures in young patients occur with high-energy mechanisms. Because of the drawbacks in radiographic and neurologic evaluations of the sacral area in polytrauma patients, misdiagnosis is quite common. In this study, we aimed to report our clinical results in three patients with displaced transverse sacral fractures compromising the sacral canal and concomitant late-diagnosed (at least 48 hours) cauda equina syndrome. Bilateral lumbopelvic fixation, followed by sacral laminectomy and decompression, was performed in all patients. Despite the late- diagnosed cauda equina syndrome, we observed that surgical decompression and lumbopelvic fixation had positive effects on neurologic recovery, pain relief and early unsupported mobilization.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Dr. Sami Ulus Maternity, Child Health and Disease Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey. drbekmez@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Senol
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bekmez
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Gökhan
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Demirkıran
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Omür
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Caglar
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, İzmir Kent Hospital, İzmir, Turkey.
authors.forename: Ibrahim
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Akel
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Ankara Spine Center, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Emre
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Acaroğlu
mesh_terms: D000063:Accidents, Traffic; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D057210:Delayed Diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011128:Polyradiculopathy / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012447:Sacrum / Q000293:injuries*; D016103:Spinal Fractures / Q000175:diagnosis*; D055815:Young Adult