Non-traumatic compression fractures of the thoracic spine following a seizure -- treatment by percutaneous kyphoplasty. |
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Authors: | K Gnanalingham M Macanovic S Joshi F Afshar J Yeh |
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Institution: | Department of Neurosurgery, Royal London Hospital, Whitechapel Road, London, U.K. kannagnana@doctors.org.uk |
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Abstract: | A 26-year-old male presented with acute mid-thoracic back pain following a witnessed grand mal seizure. There was no trauma and the patient was on steroids for systemic lupus erythematosus. X-rays and CT scans of the thoracic spine revealed compression fractures at T5 and T6, with 50 % loss of vertebral height and kyphosis. He underwent percutaneous kyphoplasty of both vertebrae, with symptomatic improvement. Non-traumatic compression fractures of the thoracic spine following seizures are a rare injury. This may be related to the compressive forces exerted on the vertebral column by the contractions of the truncal muscles, during a seizure. These compression fractures are suitable for treatment by minimally invasive techniques, such as kyphoplasty. |
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