Citation

Ghavam C, Kirkpatrick JS. Spine 1995; 20(9): 1080-1083.

Affiliation

Department of Surgery, University of Alabama Medical Center, Birmingham, USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1995, Lippincott Williams and Wilkins)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

7631239

Abstract

STUDY DESIGN: This is a case report of an unusual fracture of the first lumbar vertebra in which the mechanism of injury appears to have been an extension-distraction force. The case report elucidates the patient's initial presentation at the time of injury, the treatment instituted, and follow-up revealing satisfactory healing of the fracture 18 months later. OBJECTIVES: The case is reported to illustrate an usual injury that had not been previously reported. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: History, physical examination, and imaging studies from the time of injury, after initial treatment, and at final follow-up are presented. METHODS: A case report is presented in which a fall subjected a patient's stiff, osteopenic spine to an extension moment, resulting in tension failure of the bony elements of the anterior and middle columns. Plain radiographs, tomograms, and a magnetic resonance image detail the injury pattern; plain radiographs are presented as follow-up images. RESULTS: Nonoperative treatment in this case led to a satisfactory outcome at 18 months follow-up. CONCLUSION: An unusual extension-distraction fracture of the spine is presented, which, in this case, was satisfactorily treated nonoperatively.

Language: en