Chance-Type Fracture of L1 with Entrapment of the Cauda Equina

Abstract

A patient is presented who sustained a motor vehicle accident while wearing a seat belt. Due to life-threatening intraabdominal lesions, a Chance-type fracture of L1 and a subluxation of C6/C7 were diagnosed and treated surgically with a certain delay. The retention of urine and fecal incontinence could be explained as being due to a partial entrapment of the cauda equina at the level of the fractured pedicle of L1 on the right side with an associated injury of the conus medullaris.