Seizure-induced lumbar burst fracture associated with conus medullaris-cauda equina compression

Diagn Interv Radiol. 2011 Sep;17(3):199-204. doi: 10.4261/1305-3825.DIR.3638-10.2. Epub 2010 Aug 17.

Abstract

A 36-year-old male developed a burst fracture of the L1 vertebra following a seizure. The patient experienced conus-cauda equina compression resulting in urinary retention and patchy sensory loss. An MRI of the spine revealed short tau inversion recovery (STIR) hyperintensity at L1 with 70% loss of vertebral body height, 8-mm posterior bony retropulsion into the spinal canal and T2-weighted hyperintensity in the cord, which is consistent with cord edema. A thorough physical exam and imaging is critical for immediate diagnosis of spine injuries to prevent grave neurological complications.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Cauda Equina / diagnostic imaging
  • Cauda Equina / injuries
  • Decompression, Surgical / methods*
  • Fractures, Compression / diagnosis*
  • Fractures, Compression / etiology
  • Fractures, Compression / surgery
  • Humans
  • Lumbar Vertebrae / injuries*
  • Lumbar Vertebrae / pathology
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods
  • Male
  • Postoperative Care / methods
  • Rare Diseases
  • Recovery of Function
  • Risk Assessment
  • Seizures / complications*
  • Spinal Cord Compression / diagnosis*
  • Spinal Cord Compression / etiology
  • Spinal Cord Compression / surgery
  • Spinal Fractures / diagnosis*
  • Spinal Fractures / etiology
  • Spinal Fractures / surgery
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed / methods
  • Treatment Outcome