Partial avulsion of the cauda equina associated with a lumbosacral fracture-dislocation. A case report

Case report: Traumatic lumbosacral spondyloptosis with locked L5 inferior articular process

Background

Traumatic lumbosacral spondyloptosis is a very rare spinal disease caused by high-energy trauma. We report a case of traumatic lumbosacral spondyloptosis with locked L5 inferior articular process.

Case presentation

A 33-year-old man presented with multisite pain for 6 h following waist trauma and was admitted to the hospital. He suffered multiple injuries from severe impact on the waist after driving an out of control forklift truck. Preoperative imaging examinations revealed that the patient was diagnosed with traumatic lumbosacral spondyloptosis and the L5 inferior articular process was locked into the anterior margin of the S1 vertebra. A posterior instrumentation, decompression of the cauda equina, and interbody fusion procedure was performed. The patient received hyperbaric oxygen and rehabilitation treatment 10 days after the surgery. At the 6-month postoperative follow-up, the muscle strength of the lower limbs was improved, the patient had no numbness of both lower limbs, and the urinary retention symptom was significantly improved. The American Spinal Injury Association grade improved from grade C preoperatively to grade D postoperatively. As far as we know, there have been no relevant reports on traumatic lumbosacral spondyloptosis with locked L5 inferior articular process yet.

Conclusion

We believe that the hyperflexion and shear forces were the potential causes of this injury. In addition, the preoperative imaging examinations should be evaluated carefully. If the inferior articular process of L5 were locked, we suggest removing the bilateral inferior articular processes first and then perform reduction.

Traumatic Lumbar Spondylolisthesis: A Systematic Review and Case Series

STUDY DESIGN

Systematic review and case series.

OBJECTIVES

Any acute injury to the posterior elements of the lumbar spine resulting in listhesis is considered a traumatic spondylolisthesis. This rare injury caused by high-energy trauma is variably described in the literature as fracture-dislocation, where only case reports and series have been published. Our objectives were to propose evidence-based treatment recommendations and a new classification system for this injury.

METHODS

A systematic review of literature from PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane without time frame limitations was performed, which included 77 level IV and V articles and 9 patients as case series in the analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 125 cases were reviewed with mean age of 30.5 years. Half of the cases resulted from a vehicular accident. Back pain presented in 82%, while 50% had neurologic deficits. Operative treatment was performed in 93.6% (posterior decompression [PD] = 4%; posterior spinal fusion [PSF] = 43.2%; interbody fusion [IB] = 46.4%) with overall fusion rates of 74%. Binomial regression analysis for achieving solid fusion showed a 28.6× higher odds for IB compared to PSF (P = .008, r ² = 0.633). Subanalysis of cases with disc injuries revealed higher fusion outcomes for IB (87%) compared to PSF (46%; P = .006), while there were no significant differences for patients without disc injury. Pain and neurological symptoms improved significantly on final follow-up (P < .001). Overall complication rate was 22%.

CONCLUSION

Operative management with reduction, decompression for neurologic deficits, instrumentation, and fusion is recommended for traumatic spondylolisthesis. Interbody fusion is recommended to achieve better fusion outcomes especially with preoperatively identified disc lesions.

Complete avulsion of spinal cord and cauda equina: A case report

Pure ligamentous flexion-distraction injuries of the lumbar spine are relatively rare and even less commonly associated with neurologic compromise. They are largely related to the use of lap belt restrains during motor vehicle accidents. We report a 19-year-old female backseat passenger wearing a lap belt who was involved in a head-on collision. On admission she was paraplegic, with a T12 sensory level and no motor and sensory function of S4-S5 (American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) A). Plain X-ray and computerized axial tomography (CAT) spine showed a flexion-distraction injury at the L3-L4 level. During surgery in the interspinous space a conus medullaris was identified, which was completely severed from the spinal cord. The patient underwent a fusion procedure and made a good recovery. Twelve months after surgery she was able to walk with a knee-ankle-foot orthosis, she has no motor function below knees, no sensation below L2, and no voluntary bladder control. Although described type of injury is very rare, one should always have in mind devastating consequences of inadequate or improperly worn seatbelts.

Cauda equina repair in the rat: part 1. Stimulus-evoked EMG for identifying spinal nerves innervating intrinsic tail muscles

Cauda equina injuries may produce severe leg and pelvic floor dysfunction, for which no effective treatments exist. We are developing a rat cauda equina injury model to allow nerve root identification and surgical repair. One possible difficulty in implementing any repair strategy after trauma in humans involves the correct identification of proximal and distal ends of nerve roots separated by the injury. Two series of studies were carried out. In Series 1, we electrically stimulated segmental contributors to the dorsal and ventral caudales nerves in order to characterize the recruitment patterns of muscles controlling rat tail movements. In Series 2, we attempted to identify individual nerve roots forming the cauda equina by both level of origin and function (i.e., dorsal or ventral), based solely upon the recruitment patterns in response to electrical stimulation. For Series 1 studies, electrical stimulation of the segmental contributors showed that all nerve roots-from the sixth lumbar to the first coccygeal-contributed to recruitment of muscles found at the base of the tail. Intrinsic tail muscles lying more distally in the tail showed a more root-specific pattern of innervation. For Series 2, the rate of successful identification of an unknown nerve root as being ventral was very high (>95%), and only somewhat lower (approximately 80%) for dorsal roots. Correctly identifying the level of origin of that root was more difficult, but for ventral roots this rate still exceeded 90%. Using the rat cauda equina model, we have shown that stimulus-evoked EMG can be used to identify ventral nerve roots innervating tail muscles with a high degree of accuracy. These findings support the feasibility of using this conceptual approach for identifying and repairing damaged human cauda equina nerve roots based on stimulus-evoked recruitment of muscles in the leg and pelvic floor.

Lumbosacral dislocation: a review of the literature and current aspects of management

Lumbosacral fracture dislocation is a very rare lesion and was first described by Watson-Jones in 1940. Two anatomical classifications are described in the literature, all other reports are case presentations. This fracture type is characterised by an antero- or retrolisthesis or a lateral translation of the 5th lumbar vertebra in relation to the sacrum. Biomechanics are discussed controversially. Most patients suffer from a high energy trauma with concomitant severe injuries. There is a high rate of additional neurological deficits. Fractures of the transverse process are thought to be sentinel fractures. MRI and CT scans are essential to detect the whole extent of the lesion. Circumferential fusion is recommended by several authors to regain stability at the lumbosacral junction.

Traumatic posterior lumbosacral spondyloptosis in a six-year-old: a case report and review of the literature

STUDY DESIGN

Report of a traumatic posterior lumbosacral spondyloptosis in a 6-year-old.

OBJECTIVES

To describe this type of fracture-dislocation in children. To evaluate a possible trauma mechanism. To evaluate specific characteristics of this type of lesion in children.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

Fractures of the lumbar spine in children are rare. They are without exception caused by high-energy trauma. Fracture-dislocations mostly occur in the anterior direction. There are several reports of traumatic retrolisthesis in adults. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a retrolisthesis at the lumbosacral junction in a child.

METHODS

While sitting, a 6-year-old boy was hit by a truck. He presented with a flaccid paraparesis below L3. Radiologic investigations showed a posterior spondyloptosis at L5-S1. He was treated by open reduction with a pediatric posterior spinal instrumentation and posterolateral grafting.

RESULTS

After 1 year, the patient showed good radiologic fracture reduction and graft incorporation. There was no pain in the lumbar area. There was still a complete neurologic deficit beneath the L3 level, with loss of bladder and anal sphincter function. The patient was entered into a children's rehabilitation program 5 weeks after surgery and is continuously improving his overall functional level.

CONCLUSION

Traumatic retrolisthesis of the lumbosacral spine is extremely rare, especially in children. We believe shear force while sitting is the key traumatic factor. We believe a simple posterior fusion with posterolateral grafting is sufficient to stabilize the spine in children. Extensive soft tissue damage causes an elevated risk of infection. Because of root avulsion, the level of paralysis can be several levels higher than the level of dislocation.

Traumatic lumbosacral lateral dislocation without fracture

STUDY DESIGN

A unique case of lumbosacral lateral dislocation without fracture is reported.

OBJECTIVE

To report on the diagnosis and treatment of a traumatic L5-S1 lateral dislocation in a polytrauma 34-year-old male with L5 nerve root paralysis.

METHOD

Interbody fusion following decompression, posterior reduction and interbody grafting combined with posterior plating was performed.

RESULTS

At an early stage the patient was able to return to work and walk without supports. At the 12-month follow-up evaluation no back pain was referred and fusion was achieved.

CONCLUSIONS

Lateral pure dislocation of the lumbosacral joint is very rare and can be easily misdiagnosed. A careful evaluation of the AP standard X-ray can lead to diagnosis and can be confirmed by CT scan. Prompt reduction and fusion is the treatment of choice to allow a quick functional recovery.

Acute traumatic L5-S1 spondylolisthesis: a case report

STUDY DESIGN

Case report of a patient treated surgically 2 months after sustaining a misdiagnosed acute traumatic lumbosacral dislocation is presented.

OBJECTIVES

The aims is to report in full about an uncommon case of anterior traumatic L5-S1 spondylolisthesis treated successfully with combined posterior stabilization and anterior fusion.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

Review of literature shows that traumatic lumbosacral dislocations and its treatment by open reduction and internal fixation are rare with only few well-documented case reports.

METHODS

We report the case of a 37-year-old man, who sustained a work-related traumatic lumbosacral dislocation. The delayed diagnosis of traumatic L5-S1 spondylolisthesis was initially missed and first treated, when the patient was transferred to the author's institution because of persistent neurological deficits. In the following the patient was successfully reduced and stabilized with posterior internal fixation and anterior interbody fusion. This case is documented in detail with radiographs, CT and MRI scans, as well as clinical pictures.

RESULTS

At a 1.5-year follow-up complete fusion was achieved. The patient returned to work on the same job before injury, ambulating pain-free with a good subjective back-function and no limitations carrying out his recreational activities. At follow-up he had persistent sensible S1 nerve root deficits (ASIA grade E).

CONCLUSIONS

Traumatic lumbosacral spondylolisthesis is a rare injury pattern. Its diagnosis can be missed initially, therefore computed tomography with biplanar reconstructions is mandatory in addition to good-quality conventional radiographs to plan and carry out such challenging management problems successfully. Surgical treatment for reduction, stabilization and interbody fusion is the method of choice.

Traumatic Anterior Lumbosacral Dislocation Caused by Hyperextension Mechanism in Preexisting L5 Spondylolysis

Of many reports referring to injury mechanism in anterior lumbosacral dislocation, there were none concerning hyperextension mechanism. We report a case of a 46-year-old man with preexisting L5 spondylolysis sustaining traumatic complete anterior lumbosacral dislocation. The operative findings, together with the radiologic findings, strongly suggested that the dislocation occurred by hyperextension mechanism. Open reduction was done by applying force of distraction with flexion using a rod and screw system, followed by the internal fixation from the L3 to S1 vertebrae and the postero-superior iliac spine. The lumbosacral dislocation was reduced to 77%. At the follow-up at 5 years after surgery, bony union was obtained and the patient could move with a wheelchair although the neurologic deficit in lower extremities observed preoperatively did not recover. Preexisting L5 spondylolysis was considered to increase the potential for anterior lumbosacral dislocation by additional force of compression with hyperextension. Posterior instrumentation using a rod and screw system was considered a useful method for reduction, decompression, stabilization, and fusion.

Lap-belt injury with complete avulsion of the spinal cord and cauda equina

The authors report a child who was involved in an automobile accident. The patient was restrained by a rear seat lap belt. Radiological examination revealed an L4 Chance-type fracture and ligamentous disruption at the L4-L5 interval. During superficial dissection of the paraspinal muscles for a spinal fusion procedure, the cauda equina and the lower spinal cord (several centimeters) were visible, completely transected and herniated into the extraspinal space through a disrupted thoracolumbar fascia. The clinician should be aware of the potentially devastating results following a lap-belt injury in which a Chance fracture is produced.

Acute traumatic L5-S1 spondylolisthesis

Acute traumatic L5-S1 spondylolisthesis is a rare condition, almost exclusively the result of major trauma, frequently associated with L5 transverse process fracture and neurologic deficit. In recent years, open reduction and internal fixation with posterior stabilization has been the method of treatment most frequently reported. In the current case, the lesion was found in a victim of an automobile accident. Signs of a right L5 root deficit but no sphincter dysfunction were present. A computed tomography scan revealed several fractures in the posterior parts of L5 and anterior displacement of L5 on S1. A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan verified that the lesion was indeed acute by showing the ruptured L5 disc and posterior ligaments, thereby demonstrating the importance of MRI in the planning of the treatment of these lesions. This case was successfully treated with an acute circumferential instrumented L4-S1 spondylodesis.

Imaging features of traumatic dislocation of the lumbosacral joint associated with disc herniation

Bilateral facet dislocation of the lumbosacral joint is an uncommon injury. We report on the imaging findings in a patient who had an acute disc herniation associated with a bilateral traumatic lumbosacral dislocation.