Musculoskeletal #21

65-year-old man. Paraplegia after skiing accident. What do you see?

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Imaging findings

Complete low dorsal transdiskal and transvertebral fracture with extension to middle and posterior columns on an ankylosed spine.
Sever posterior angulation and displacement of the superior segment cord deformity, compression and myelopathy.

Diagnosis

Severe complete unstable ankylosed spine fracture with cord compression and mielopathy

Teaching points

Ankylosed spine show specific patterns of fracture with: higher tendency to three column involvement, and increased frequency of neurologic complications.

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