Leading a Patient of Ankylosing Spondylitis to Death by Iatrogenic Spinal Fracture.
10.14245/kjs.2016.13.2.80
- Author:
Jae Sang OH
1
;
Jae Won DOH
;
Jai Joon SHIM
;
Kyeong Seok LEE
Author Information
1. Department of Neurosurgery, Soonchunhyang University Cheonan Hospital, Cheonan, Korea. metatron1324@hotmail.com
- Publication Type:Case Report
- Keywords:
Ankylosing spondylitis;
Osteoporosis;
Spine fractures
- MeSH:
Aged, 80 and over;
Blood Gas Analysis;
Female;
Hospitals, Convalescent;
Humans;
Neurologic Examination;
Osteoporosis;
Paraparesis;
Spinal Fractures*;
Spine;
Spondylitis, Ankylosing*;
Supine Position
- From:Korean Journal of Spine
2016;13(2):80-82
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Fractures in ankylosing spondylitis (AS) are often difficult to identify and treat. If combined with osteoporosis, the spine becomes weaker and vulnerable to minor trauma. An 83-year-old woman with a history of chronic AS and severe osteoporosis developed paraparesis and voiding difficulty for 4 days prior. She had been placed in the lateral decubitus position in a bedridden state in a convalescent hospital due to the progressive paraparesis. The laboratory findings showed CO₂ retention in the arterial blood gas analysis. After the patient was transferred to the computed tomography (CT) room, a CT was taken in the supine position. Approximately half an hour later, the resident in our neurosurgical department checked on her, and the neurological examination showed a complete paraplegic state. She was treated conservatively and finally expired 20 days later.
