A case of dual three-column thoracic spinal fractures following traumatic injury

Taylor Waitt, Vamsi Reddy, Dayton Grogan, Pearce Lane, Joseph Kilianski, John DeVine, Alexander Post

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

4 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: Thoracic spine fracture-dislocations due to motor vehicle accidents (MVAs) rarely involve double-level, noncontiguous lesions. Case Description: A 19-year-old male following an MVA was paraplegic; he exhibited full motor/sensory loss below the T4 level (i.e., ASIA scale Grade A). The chest X-ray, magnetic resonance, and computed tomography studies confirmed T3-T5 and T11-12 fractures, warranting T3-L3 thoracolumbar decompression and fusion. Despite surgical intervention, the patient's neurological status remained unchanged. Conclusion: This case illustrates the rare presentation of noncontiguous, posttraumatic thoracic spinal lesions requiring simultaneous decompression/fixation.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article numberA51
JournalSurgical Neurology International
Volume11
DOIs
StatePublished - 2020
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Noncontiguous spinal injury
  • Spondyloptosis
  • Thoracic spinal injury
  • Trauma

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Surgery
  • Clinical Neurology

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