A Rare Hyperextension Injury in Thoracic Spine Presenting with Delayed Paraplegia.
- Author:
Dong Eun SHIN
1
;
Ki Sik NAM
;
Hyung Ku YOON
;
Jun Ku LEE
;
Yoon Sik CHA
Author Information
- Publication Type:Case Report
- Keywords: Thoracic Vertebrae; Paraplegia; Disc herniation
- MeSH: Back Pain; Female; Hospitalization; Humans; Intervertebral Disc; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Paraplegia; Rupture; Spinal Cord; Spine; Thoracic Vertebrae
- From:Asian Spine Journal 2013;7(2):126-130
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
- Abstract: Hyperextension injury in the thoracic spine is uncommon with only a few cases documented in the literature. The mechanism of these injuries is hyperextension combined with axial or shearing force. These types of injuries are associated with a high risk of dural tears and paraplegia. A 91-year-old female presented with acute back pain from a hyperextension injury in thoracic spine with no neurological deficit. Lumbar magnetic resonance imaging showed a intervertebral disc rupture. On day 20 of hospitalization, the herniated intervertebral disc compressed the spinal cord with incomplete paraplegia. Hyperextension injuries involving the three columns are very unstable and we recommend surgical treatment as soon as possible, not only because of the initial trauma, but a ruptured disc herniation can damage the spinal cord.
