A Case Report of Missed Cervicothoracic Fracture-Dislocation in Plain Radiographs.
10.4184/jkss.2004.11.1.61
- Author:
Weon Wook PARK
1
;
Seong Jun AHN
;
Won Jun HWANG
Author Information
1. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Centum Hospital, Pusan, Korea.
- Publication Type:Case Report
- Keywords:
Thoracocervical spine;
Fracture and Dislocation;
Surgical treatment;
Transpedicular screw
- MeSH:
Deglutition Disorders;
Dislocations;
Dyspnea;
Humans;
Magnetic Resonance Imaging;
Male;
Middle Aged;
Neck Pain;
Orthotic Devices;
Paraplegia;
Pneumonia, Aspiration;
Radiography;
Rehabilitation;
Spinal Cord;
Spinal Cord Injuries;
Spine;
Traction;
Transplants
- From:Journal of Korean Society of Spine Surgery
2004;11(1):61-65
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
A complete fracture dislocation at the cervicothoracic junction is rare and accompanied by severe spinal cord injury. This region is difficult to image with plain radiography, and to immobilize with external orthosis due to the biomechanical forces exerted in this transitional portion of the spinal column. We experienced a rare case in 52-year-old male victim of a car accident. He sustained paraplegia, and complained of dyspnea and neck pain of 10 days duration at another hospital. The delayed clinical rediagnosis was a C6 and 7 spinous process fracture and a cervicothoracic fracture dislocation, with complete transection of spinal cord, which was based on a clinical examination, simple radiography, CT and MRI. Skeletal traction was immediately applied, followed by a posterior pedicle screw to stabilize the spine and secure the grafts. Rehabilitation was initiated and the dysphagia and dyspnea, due to aspiration pneumonia, were improved, but no neurologic recovery was made after the 1st postoperative year.
