Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society  2004;35(6):622-624

Traumatic Thoracic Spondyloptosis: A Case Report.

Chul Woo LEE 1 ; Sun Chul HWANG ; Soo Bin IM ; Bun Tae KIM ; Won Han SHIN

Affiliations

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Keywords

Thoracic spine; Spondyloptosis; Trauma

Country

Republic of Korea

Language

English

Abstract

The thoracic spine is rigidly stabilized by the ribs, anterior and posterior longitudinal ligaments, and a sagittal orientation of the facet joints that resists axial rotation and horizontal translation. Thus, a significant force is required to cause a fracture and dislocation in the thoracic spine. A 32-year-old man was involved in a motor-vehicle accident and presented with complete paraplegia and spondyloptosis on the 8th thoracic vertebral segment. He also suffered with hypoxia and hypovolemic shock. Posterior reduction and fixation with pedicle screw was achieved with the anatomic alignment and rigid stability. This posterior technique for thoracic spondyloptosis is believed to be sufficient to make good alignment and solid fixation.