title: Intraspinal migration of a Kirschner wire as a late complication of acromioclavicular joint repair: a case report.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Penetrating neck trauma involving foreign bodies is a rare event in European countries. Due to its relatively high mortality rate, the correct management strategy must be initiated from the beginning to prevent fatal complications. In the medical literature, there are only a few cases describing foreign bodies penetrating the cervical spine. Because of its rareness, many trauma centers lack the proper routine to adequately manage such injuries.
  
  
  METHODS
  This case report describes a 34-year-old white man of Central European descent with Kirschner wire migration and perforation of his vertebral foramen. He underwent acromioclavicular joint repair surgery 7 years ago, presented with a painful sensation around the area of his left clavicle and left side of his neck after a motorcycle accident. No neurological deficit was detected.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In such cases, a thorough radiological evaluation of the spinal cord and the surrounding vasculature is mandatory for a complete understanding of the extent of the injury and determining the proper surgical management. In cases of vertebral artery trauma both an endovascular and an open approach can be contemplated.
authors.affiliation: Department of Trauma, Burns and Plastic Surgery, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland. ibnsina@wp.pl.
authors.forename: Bartosz
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Mankowski
authors.affiliation: Department of Trauma, Burns and Plastic Surgery, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland.
authors.forename: Tadeusz
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Polchlopek
authors.affiliation: Department of Trauma, Burns and Plastic Surgery, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland.
authors.forename: Marcin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Strojny
authors.affiliation: Department of Trauma, Burns and Plastic Surgery, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland.
authors.forename: Pawel
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Grala
authors.affiliation: Department of Trauma, Burns and Plastic Surgery, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland.
authors.forename: Krzysztof
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Slowinski
mesh_terms: D000173:Acromioclavicular Joint / Q000601:surgery*; D000328:Adult; D001864:Bone Wires / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000293:injuries* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005548:Foreign-Body Migration / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010808:Physical Examination; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D013124:Spinal Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014711:Vertebral Artery / Q000293:injuries* / Q000503:physiopathology; D014950:Wounds, Penetrating / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery
keywords: Implant migration; K-wire migration; Penetrating neck trauma; Surgical management of neck trauma; Vertebral artery injury