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

1. Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA

2. 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.

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Received Date: 11.06.2010

Accepted Date: 31.07.2010

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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.

Keywords: seizure, burst fracture, vertebra, conus medullaris, cauda equina

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

ABSTRACT

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