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Unstable thoracic spine fracture with aortic encroachment: A potentially fatal association and a suggested treatment
- Source :
- International Journal of Surgery Case Reports
- Publication Year :
- 2017
-
Abstract
- Highlights • The association of unstable spinal fractures and pending aortic injuries is a therapeutic dilemma. • Inappropriate treatment can lead to catastrophic consequences. • A multidisciplinary, case-by-case evaluation is mandatory. • Vascular lesions must be treated first. • We suggest “best but safest” procedure sequence: endovascular aortic repair and then posterior spinal cord reconstruction.<br />Background The coexistence of an unstable spinal fracture with a pending aortic lesion is potentially catastrophic and a therapeutic challenge as to timing of treatment, assigning priorities and selecting the best approach. Case report A 41 year-old healthy male victim of bike accident. Imaging revealed a fracture of 6th and 7th thoracic vertebrae with a bone fragment in close proximity to the descending thoracic aorta. After consultation with spine/vascular surgeons and interventional radiologists it was decided to secure the potential aortic injury with an endovascular stent-graft followed by posterior vertebral instrumentation for fracture’s reduction. Discussion/conclusion A multi-specialists teamwork approach is mandatory. Vascular lesion is priority, followed by vertebral surgery. As to the treatment options, we suggest a “best but still safest” philosophy: endovascular repair and posterior spinal instrumentation should be considered first in the acute stage.
- Subjects :
- medicine.medical_specialty
medicine.medical_treatment
Case Report
030204 cardiovascular system & hematology
03 medical and health sciences
0302 clinical medicine
Fracture fixation
medicine.artery
Spinal fracture
medicine
Thoracic aorta
Reduction (orthopedic surgery)
Aorta
business.industry
Trauma center
Thoracic spine fracture
medicine.disease
Spinal injury
Surgery
medicine.anatomical_structure
Endovascular procedure
Thoracic vertebrae
cardiovascular system
Radiology
business
Trauma team
030217 neurology & neurosurgery
Subjects
Details
- ISSN :
- 22102612
- Volume :
- 39
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- International journal of surgery case reports
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi.dedup.....53276e957dc4e2fc70cc02cb1932c37d