Abstract
This report details the presentation and surgical management of an osteoporotic fracture of the thoracic spine with delayed onset of paraplegia. The onset of neurological complications was 2 weeks after a relatively minor trauma to the patient’s lower back. Surgical management included posterior decompression of the cord and posterior instrumentation. Delayed onset of neurological compromise is unusual with osteoporotic fractures and the management of such injuries is controversial. In this case it was decided to treat this injury by surgical means as it was felt that in the presence of neurological symptoms the patient had an unstable spinal injury that could be best managed by surgical intervention. This case report demonstrates the need for close observation of osteoporotic spinal fractures as delayed onset of neurologic compromise can occur. It also supports the view that surgical intervention in these rare cases is justified.
Résumé
Cet article rapporte la présentation clinique et le traitement chirurgical d’une fracture ostéoporotique de la colonne thoracique avec apparition retardée d’une paraplégie. Les signes neurologiques sont apparus 2 semaines après un traumatisme mineur sur le bas du dos. Le traitement chirurgical a consisté en une décompression postérieure avec instrumentation. L’apparition secondaire d’un déficit neurologique est inhabituelle dans les fractures sur ostéoporose et le traitement en est controversé. Dans ce cas le traitement chirurgical a été choisi parce qu’en raison des signes neurologiques, il semblait exister une instabilité mieux traitée par voie chirurgicale. Ceci démontre qu’il faut suivre les fractures du rachis sur ostéoporose en raison de la possibilité de troubles neurologiques tardifs, et que le traitement chirurgical est justifié.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Lee YL, Yip KM (1996) The osteoporotic spine. Clin Orthop 323:91–97
Kempisky WH (1958) Osteoporotic kyphosis with paraplegia. Neurology 8:181–186
O’Connor PA, Eustace S, O’Byrne J (2002) Spinal cord injury following osteoporotic vertebral fracture: case report. Spine 27; 18:E413–E415
Baba H, Maezawa Y, Kamitani K et al. (1995) Osteoporotic vertebral collapse with late neurological complications. Paraplegia 33:281–289
Saita K, Hoshino Y, Kikkawa I, et al. (2000) Posterior spinal shortening for paraplegia after vertebral collapse caused by osteoporosis. Spine 25:2831–2835
Salomon C, Chopin D, Benoist M (1998) Spinal compression: an exceptional complication of spinal osteoporosis. Spine 13:222–224
Shikata J, Yamamuro T, Iida H, et al. (1990) Surgical treatment for paraplegia resulting from vertebral fractures in senile osteoporosis. Spine 15: 485–489
Kaneda A, Yamaura I, Kamikozuru M (1984) Paraplegia as a complication of corticosteroid therapy: a case report. J Bone Joint Surg Am 66:783–785
Lafforgue P, Chagnaud C, Daumene-Legre V, Daver L, Kasbarian M, Aquaviva PC (1997) The Intravertebral Vacuum Phenomenon (“Vertebral Osteonecrosis”): Migration of Intradiscal Gas in a Fractured Vertebral Body? Spine. 22:1885–1891
Kostuik JP (1991) Compression fractures and surgery in the osteoporotic patient. In: Frymoyer JW et al. (eds) The adult spine: principles and practice, vol 1. Raven Press, New York, pp 661–667
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Vioreanu, M., Connolly, P. & McCormack, D. Surgical management of an osteoporotic spinal fracture with delayed onset paraplegia. Eur J Orthop Surg Traumatol 15, 313–315 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00590-005-0007-6
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00590-005-0007-6