Two-level disruption of the ankylosed spine: a case report.

An unusual two-level fracture dislocation of the spine in a patient with rheumatoid spondylitis is presented. Thorough clinical and roentgenographic examination of the entire vertebral column in recommended in patients with rheumatoid spondylitis who have sustained injury.     

Open fracture dislocation of the thoracic spine: a case report.

BACKGROUND: This injury has not been reported previously in the thoracic spine. All previous open fracture dislocations of the spine have been reported in the lumbosacral spine with three posterior and two anterior dislocations. PURPOSE: To describe the treatment of an open thoracic fracture dislocation with primary open reduction, posterior stabilization, and fusion. STUDY DESIGN: Case report. METHODS: A 25-year-old male pedestrian was struck by a car sustaining an open fracture dislocation of T8 on T9 with complete transection of the spinal cord. The accident resulted in complete paralysis of both lower extremities, a paraspinal hematoma from T4 to T12, and bilateral pneumothoracies. After wound irrigation and debridement, an open posterior reduction and stabilization was completed. The wound was closed primarily. RESULTS: Two years after surgery, there was a solid fusion and no evidence of infection. The patient has persistent paralysis of both lower extremities. CONCLUSIONS: Open thoracic spinal fracture dislocations can be effectively treated with primary open reduction and fusion with instrumentation.     

Seizure-induced thoracic spine compression fracture: case report

BACKGROUND: Vertebral fracture caused solely by a convulsive seizure has rarely been reported in the neurosurgical literature. CASE DESCRIPTION: We describe a 34-year-old male with severe back pain from a thoracic fracture occurring in association with a seizure during hospitalization for treatment of temporal lobe epilepsy. Bone mineral densities in the lumbar spine and the femoral neck were decreased, possibly by long-term anti-epileptic medication. Muscle contractions during a seizure can result in vertebral fractures, especially at the thoracic levels. CONCLUSION: A complaint of back pain after a convulsive seizure should prompt radiologic investigation for vertebral fracture, even in the absence of external trauma.     

Fracture-dislocation of the ankylosed thoracic spine

A patient with a fracture of an ankylosed thoracic spine was treated initially along conservative lines. Subsequently the fracture displaced, causing paraplegia. Internal fixation proved difficult but stability was obtained by wiring two Sherman plates to the posterior elements. This succeeded in holding the fracture until the death of the patient 13 days post-operatively. The difficulties in the management of these fractures are discussed.     

Acute osteomyelitis complicating a simple fracture. A case report

Osteomyelitis complicating a simple fracture is unusual, but the reason for its rarity is unknown. We report on a 9-year-old Black boy who developed acute osteomyelitis after sustaining an acute simple fracture of the femur. The causative role of trauma in acute osteomyelitis is discussed and 'the relative resistance of healthy bone' questioned.     

Pneumothorax complicating a closed fracture of the clavicle. A case report

Most fractures of the clavicle occur as isolated injuries and resolve without complications. A rare case of pneumothorax that complicated a clavicle fracture is reported in a 19-year-old man. The pneumothorax necessitated closed-tube thoracostomy. Six weeks of splint immobilization resulted in satisfactory union of the clavicle fracture. Complete chest and neurocirculatory examinations and careful review of pertinent radiographs enabled an early diagnosis of this rare complication of a fracture of the clavicle.     

Posterior tibial nerve neurotmesis complicating a closed tibial fracture. A case report

A case of complete transection of the posterior tibial nerve complicating a closed mid-shaft fracture of the tibia is reported. Early surgical exploration and repair resulted in return of function within 6 months. Such injuries are not common, but the case described highlights the importance of vigilance in assessment of all limb fractures.     

Acute osteomyelitis complicating a closed radial fracture in a child. A case report.

Development of osteomyelitis in a closed fracture is very rare. Although it has been reported that trivial trauma may be associated with the subsequent development of acute osteomyelitis, Waldovel et al. (1970) found no evidence that fractures were involved in the etiology of osteomyelitis. We report a case in which the infection, after a closed fracture involved both metaphyses and the diaphysis of the radius.     

Vertebral osteomyelitis after a closed fracture of the spine. A case report

A case of spinal tuberculosis after a closed fracture, differing from the usual tuberculous spondylitis in that trauma appeared to have predisposed the affected vertebrae to haematogenous infection, is described.     

胸椎管内副神经节瘤1例报告

副神经节瘤是一种罕见的神经内分泌系统肿瘤,其90％以上发生在颈动脉体和颈静脉球[1].副神经节瘤极少累及脊柱,而且绝大部分发生在马尾,我院曾收治1例胸椎管内副神经节瘤,报道如下.患者男性,16岁,因"双下肢麻木乏力2周"于2006年8月24日入院.查体:体温36.6℃,脉搏70次/分,血压122/80mmHg,脊柱无明显压叩痛,剑突平面下感觉减退,双下肢肌力4级,直腿抬高试验(-),膝踝反射正常,提睾反射未引出,巴氏征(-).血液生化检查正常.胸椎及腰椎X线正侧位片及CT未发现明显骨质破坏.MRI矢状位(图1a、b)T6～T7椎管内可见3.0×1.5cm大小的长椭圆形边界清楚的稍长T2短T1信号影.