Journal List > J Korean Soc Spine Surg > v.21(3) > 1076026

Soh, Lee, Seo, and Shin: Conus Medullaris Syndrome Caused by Delayed Recollapse after Surgery of Burst Fracture - A Case Report -

Abstract

Study Design

A case report.

Objectives

Lumbar burst fracture was treated with operation, which delayed recollapse of L1 and led to conus medullaris syndrome.

Summery of Literature Review

After operation, conus medullaris syndrome causing by delayed recollapse is not frequently reported.

Materials and Methods

A 56-year-old male was admitted with lower back pain caused by a fall. Radiologic findings showed L1 burst fracture with about 42% of height loss. There was no neurologic deficit. Posterior fusion was performed using instrumentation. Five weeks after the operation, the patient was admitted for urination and defecation difficulty. Radiologic findings showed that the L1 had recollapsed with about 38% of height loss. To resolve the problem, anterior surgery was performed.

Results

Two years after surgery, bladder and anal sphincter dysfunction wasn't recovered.

Conclusions

Lumbar burst fracture should be follow up carefully until union of the fracture because burst fracture leads to delayed recollapse.

REFERENCES

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Fig. 1.
(A) Initial anteroposterior and lateral view of plain radiographs shows body height loss about 42% because of burst fracture on L1. (B) Initial CT images shows canal encroachment about 50% on L1. (C) Initial MR images shows relation of fracture and dural sac on L1.
jkss-21-129f1.tif
Fig. 2.
Postoperative anteroposterior and lateral view of plain radiographs shows reduction of body height loss about 12% on L1.
jkss-21-129f2.tif
Fig. 3.
(A) Five weeks after operation, anteroposterior and lateral view of plain radiographs images shows body height loss about 38% because of recollapse of burst fracture on L1. (B) CT images shows canal encroachment about 40% on L1.
jkss-21-129f3.tif
Fig. 4.
(A) After anterior operation, postoperative anteroposterior and lateral view of plain radiographs shows anterior decompression and cage insertion state. (B) MR images shows decompression of canal encroachement on L1.
jkss-21-129f4.tif
Fig. 5.
Two years after operation, anteroposterior and lateral view of plain radiographs show the union of burst fracture on L1.
jkss-21-129f5.tif
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