1/22. Halo pin intracranial penetration and epidural abscess in a patient with a previous cranioplasty: case report and review of the literature.STUDY DESIGN: Report of a patient with an epidural abscess after halo pin intracranial penetration at the site of a previous cranioplasty. OBJECTIVES: To report a rare case of intracranial penetration at the site of a previous cranioplasty associated with epidural abscess, and to discuss the diagnostic and therapeutic approach to its management. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: The most serious complications associated with use of halo device occur when pins penetrate the inner table of the skull, resulting in cerebrospinal fluid leak and rarely in an intracranial abscess. However, no mention of intracranial halo pin penetration at the site of a previous cranioplasty was found in the literature. methods: A 64-year-old man with ankylosing spondylitis had a halo vest placed for management of a fracture dislocation through the C5-C6 intervertebral disc space associated with left C6 radiculopathy. One week later, the patient experienced fever and headache associated with pain, redness, and drainage at the site of the insertion of the left posterior pin. Computed tomography of the brain showed a 1.5-cm intracranial penetration of the halo pin through a previous cranioplasty of the temporal bone, associated with epidural abscess and cerebral edema in the left temporoparietal lobe. The pins and the halo vest were removed, the pin site was cleaned, and a philadelphia cervical collar was applied. staphylococcus epidermidis grew on the culture of drainage from the pin site. The patient started immediate intravenous antibiotic treatment for 2 weeks, followed by oral antibiotics for 2 additional weeks. RESULTS: The patient had gradual improvement of his symptoms within the first 48 hours. At the latest follow-up visit, he had fully recovered and his fracture had healed. CONCLUSIONS: The halo device should not be used for patients with a previous cranioplasty, especially if the pins cannot be inserted at other safe areas of the skull. A thorough medical history and physical examination of the skull are important before the application of a halo device. Computed tomography of the skull may be necessary before elective halo application for patients with concomitant head trauma, confusion, or intoxication and for patients with a previous cranioplasty to ascertain the safest pin sites.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = physical examination, physical (Clic here for more details about this article) |
2/22. Isolated anterior arch fracture of the atlas: child case report.STUDY DESIGN: The authors report a case of an atlas fracture at the anterior arch. OBJECTIVE: To discuss the difficulty in diagnosing this type fracture. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Fractures of the atlas are not uncommon, and actually constitute 10% of all cervical spine injuries in adults. However, in the pediatric population, fractures of atlas are extremely rare, and only a few cases have been described. Only two isolated anterior arcus fractures of the atlas have been reported previously. methods: A 2.5-year-old girl was admitted to the authors' department with neck pain and head tilt 2 days after falling from a wall onto the top of the head. Radiographs of the cervical spine reportedly showed no abnormality. Computed tomography of the upper cervical spine showed a fracture in left anterior arch of the C1 vertebra with a 2-mm separation. She was placed in a firm cervical collar and instructed to reduce her daily physical activities. A repeat scan 3 months later showed fusion at the fracture site. RESULTS: The patient was treated with a firm cervical collar, and fusion of the fracture site was documented with computed tomography scan at 12 weeks after the injury. Her cervical collar was removed, and she has been fully active with no restrictions. CONCLUSIONS: On plain radiographs, fractures of the atlas and anterior aspect in particular may remain occult. Accurate diagnosis of atlas fractures depends on further radiologic investigations including computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. Experience in treating atlas fractures is insufficient because of a paucity of literature. immobilization with a firm cervical collar is the treatment of choice in stable atlas fracture.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 0.26075191771995keywords = physical (Clic here for more details about this article) |
3/22. Niemann-Pick disease type B: an unusual clinical presentation with multiple vertebral fractures.We report here a unique case of a 55-year-old woman presenting with a clinical picture of parkinson disease, severe back pain, splenomegaly, and pronounced dyspnea. Radiographic examination of the spine showed multiple vertebral fractures. Niemann-Pick disease type B was diagnosed by findings of lipid-loaded histiocytes and a strongly reduced sphingomyelinase enzyme activity. She was homozygous for the deletion of codon 608 (delR608), which encodes an arginine residue in the Acid Sphingomyelinase gene. To investigate the cause of the unusual vertebral fractures, we screened for polymorphisms previously described as possibly associated with increased risk for osteoporosis and fractures. Our patient was heterozygous for the polymorphisms of the vitamin d receptor gene, the estrogen receptor gene, and the collagen 1A1gene. Increased physical activity after Parkinson treatment, a genetic predisposition, together with worsening disease due to interfering medications could explain the dramatic presentation of this patient. She was treated with cholesterol lowering drugs such as statins to decrease sphingomyelin synthesis, avoidance of drugs that inhibit sphingomyelinase, and bisphosphonates. No new fractures have occurred, but the interstitial lung disease has progressed.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 0.26075191771995keywords = physical (Clic here for more details about this article) |
4/22. Hangman's fracture caused by suspected child abuse. A case report.This report highlights the difficulties associated with diagnosing cervical spine injuries in children especially as the history and mechanism of injury may often be unclear and the normal variations in roentgenographic appearance may be confusing. As far as we are aware this is only the second case of traumatic Hangman's fracture in a child under the age of 3 years and the only case where there is a strong probability of child abuse. A female child aged 23 months was admitted with a 5-day history of irritability and general malaise. Her father reported noticing that she was reluctant to move her neck. He denied any possibility of trauma. On admission she had neck stiffness with a temperature of 37 degrees C and supported her neck with her hands. There was evidence of otitis media of her right ear. Her physical examination was otherwise normal. A full blood count and lumbar puncture were within normal limits. Cervical spine x rays suggested a Hangman's fracture of C2 with slight anterior subluxation of C2 on C3 and a kyphus at that level. Computerized tomography demonstrated no significant canal encroachment. An isotope bone scan was non-diagnostic. She was treated in a moulded cervical collar with neck held in slight extension. Her symptoms resolved and further radiographs showed improved alignment. Repeat CT scans seven weeks post admission showed callus formation. At follow-up at one year she remains asymptomatic. Hangman's fracture is very rare in children under 3 years and the considerable normal variations further complicate diagnosis. Swischuk described the posterior cervical line connecting the spinous process of C1-C3 vertebrae on the lateral projection to differentiate a true fracture dislocation from physiological anterior displacement. A detailed history, roentgenograms, bone scans, CT scans and MRI scans are often required for accurate diagnosis.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = physical examination, physical (Clic here for more details about this article) |
5/22. Advances in surgical treatment of osteoporotic fractures of the spine.INTRODUCTION: To highlight recent advances in the management of osteoporotic compression fractures of the spine. methods: A medline search was conducted from January 1975 to October 2001. Keywords included osteoporotic compression fractures, osteoporosis and spine fractures. RESULTS: osteoporotic fractures of the spine often cause significant morbidity to the elderly individual. diagnosis requires a detailed history and physical examination and investigations are usually required to exclude other causes of back pain. magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is often helpful in excluding other causes of pathologic fracture but may not be confirmatory. Conservative treatment was the traditional approach, but newer percutaneous treatments, such as vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty, are safe and simple day surgery procedures which allow for rapid recovery of symptoms and prevention of increasing spinal deformity. Neurological deficit as a result of spinal canal compromise from retropulsed fragments, though relatively uncommon, is well recognised as a cause of significant morbidity and is a major indication for open spinal surgery. Various spinal approaches including anterior or posterior decompression combined with a variety of stabilisation techniques have been reported in the literature. rehabilitation is often required to improve physical function. CONCLUSIONS: osteoporotic fractures of the spine are a common cause of morbidity in the elderly. patients who have persistent pain despite conservative treatment require investigation to exclude other pathological causes of fracture. Percutaneous vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty are new techniques that offer much promise in the treatment of these elderly patients. Open surgery may still be required where there is significant neurologic compromise.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1.26075191772keywords = physical examination, physical (Clic here for more details about this article) |
6/22. Peculiar fracture of the cervical spine: a rara avis.STUDY DESIGN: Case report. OBJECTIVES: To report a peculiar case of the cervical spine that ensued after a sudden harsh extension along with its prompt evaluation and management. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Fractures of the cervical spine do occur and are usually inconsequential because of the rarity of accompanying neurologic complications. Accordingly, they are often treated conventionally. MATERIALS AND methods: Cervical radiographies and magnetic resonance imaging were performed to depict the fracture. RESULTS: Cervical radiographies demonstrated the C7 fracture in our patient but the magnetic resonance imaging also disclosed a T1 fracture. He was treated by physical therapy and close follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: This type of an unexpected incident in daily life can be seen and it should always orient the clinicians toward being vigilant against concomitant vertebral fractures or neurologic complications. And once it is proven that the spinal cord is not compromised, one might feel comfortable in treating solely these inconsequential fractures conventionally.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 0.26075191771995keywords = physical (Clic here for more details about this article) |
7/22. Conservative treatment of a patient with previously unresponsive whiplash-associated disorders using clinical biomechanics of posture rehabilitation methods.OBJECTIVE: To describe the treatment of a patient with chronic whiplash-associated disorders (WADs) previously unresponsive to multiple physical therapy and chiropractic treatments, which resolved following Clinical Biomechanics of posture (CBP) rehabilitation methods. CLINICAL FEATURES: A 40-year-old man involved in a high-speed rear-impact collision developed chronic WADs including cervicothoracic, shoulder, and arm pain and headache. The patient was diagnosed with a confirmed chip fracture of the C5 vertebra and cervical and thoracic disk herniations. He was treated with traditional chiropractic and physical therapy modalities but experienced only temporary symptomatic reduction and was later given a whole body permanent impairment rating of 33% by an orthopedic surgeon. INTERVENTION AND OUTCOME: The patient was treated with CBP mirror-image cervical spine adjustments, exercise, and traction to reduce forward head posture and cervical kyphosis. A presentation of abnormal head protrusion resolved and cervical kyphosis returned to lordosis posttreatment. His initial neck disability index was 46% and 0% at the end of care. Verbal pain rating scales also improved for neck pain (from 5/10 to 0/10). CONCLUSION: A patient with chronic WADs and abnormal head protrusion, cervical kyphosis, and disk herniation experienced an improvement in symptoms and function after the use of CBP rehabilitation protocols when other traditional chiropractic and physical therapy procedures showed little or no lasting improvement.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 0.78225575315986keywords = physical (Clic here for more details about this article) |
8/22. An abused five-month-old girl: Hangman's fracture or congenital arch defect?Hangman's fractures are a rare finding in childhood. In case of suspected or proven child abuse, differentiation with a congenital defect of the posterior arch of C2 is essential. We present the case of a 5-month-old girl, who had a history of being physically abused by one of her caretakers. On the lateral view of the cervical spine, a defect of the posterior elements of C2 and an anterolisthesis of C2 on C3 was seen. CT scan showed a bilateral defect in the posterior elements of C2. No soft-tissue swelling of hematoma was noted. MRI showed a normal signal intensity of the intervertebral disc C2-C3. No haematoma was noted. Clinical examination revealed a slight head lag and local tenderness; there were no neurological deficits. This case shows that the differentiation between a congenital C2 arch defect and a hangman's fracture is precarious. In this case the findings on MRI and CT scan were interpreted as a congenital posterior arch defect (spondylolysis).- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 0.26075191771995keywords = physical (Clic here for more details about this article) |
9/22. Speed bump-induced spinal column injury.INTRODUCTION: Compression fracture of the vertebral body is common, especially in older adults. Injuries to the spinal column are one of the most frequent injuries by accidents and falls from heights. Vertebral fracture associated with minor trauma, however, is a rare occasion. CASE REPORT: Five cases were injured in the inner city buses after passing onto speed bumps are presented. On presentation, four patients complained of severe pain in the thoracolumbar region, while in the other patient, physical examination revealed pain and tenderness on the neck. No neurologic deficit was noted except for one patient with tenderness on thoracic spines. Examination of the thoracolumbar X-ray and computed tomography displayed compression fractures in four patients. Other laboratory data obtained on admission were within normal limits. Posterior instrumentation was applied to three patients. All patients recovered well except for the one with cervical fracture. CONCLUSION: Drivers should be strongly warned and educated on the potential hazards of traversing past such bumps in roads too fast and such barriers should be built regarding tested standards.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = physical examination, physical (Clic here for more details about this article) |
10/22. Sacral insufficiency fractures following multilevel instrumented spinal fusion: case report.STUDY DESIGN: Case series. OBJECTIVE: To report a series of patients in whom sacral insufficiency fractures developed following multilevel spinal fusion with instrumentation. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Rigid spinal fusion with instrumentation results in abnormal distribution of forces in the spine. These forces have the potential to cause failure of adjacent segments, especially in older, osteopenic individuals. Sacral insufficiency fractures following lumbar-sacral fusion may be the result of these abnormal forces. However, this complication is not well described in the literature. methods: Three patients who sustained sacral fractures after instrumented lumbar-sacral fusion performed for degenerative disease of the spine are discussed. history, physical examination findings, and radiographic features are presented, along with a brief review of the pertinent literature. RESULTS: All 3 patients in our series started complaining of new-onset buttock pain a few weeks after their operative procedure. Radiographic examination revealed that they had transverse sacral fractures just below the fusion instrumentation. Nonoperative, conservative treatment was performed. At final follow-up, the fractures had healed completely and the patients' complaints had resolved. CONCLUSION: patients who complain of new-onset buttock pain following multilevel lumbar-sacral fusion with instrumentation should be evaluated for sacral insufficiency fractures, especially if they have been sitting for prolonged periods. Conservative treatment seems to be sufficient.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = physical examination, physical (Clic here for more details about this article) |
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