{"id":"09ebe88c-3a95-42a7-a869-8a41c9104e26","slug":"hyperextension-thoracic-spine-fracture-with-complete-neurological-recovery-after-surgical-fixation-a-case-report","title":"Hyperextension thoracic spine fracture with complete neurological recovery after surgical fixation: A case report","authors":["Arash Fattahi","Seyed Mohammad Reza Mohajeri","Abdolhadi Daneshi","Ardeshir Shahivand"],"abstract":"Background: Hyperextension thoracic spine fractures (HTSFs) typically involve the anterior ligamentous complex of the spine. These patients often present with paraplegia and warrant early surgical reduction/fixation even though few deficits resolve. Here, we present the unusual case of a 40-year-old male whose paraparetic deficit resolved following reduction/fixation of a T7-T8 HTSF. Case Description: A 40-year-old male presented with a thoracic computed tomography (CT) documented T7- T8 HTSF following a motor vehicle accident. His neurological examination revealed severe paraparesis, but without a sensory level (ASIA motor score 78). The chest CT angiogram scan revealed a hypodensity in the aorta, representing a small traumatic aortic dissection responsible for the patient’s right hemothorax; 450 ml of blood was removed on chest tube placement. He underwent urgent/emergent thoracic spine reduction and fixation at the T7-T8 level. Within 5 postoperative months, he recovered fully neurological function (ASIA motor score 100). Conclusion: We recommend urgent/emergent surgical reduction/stabilization for patients with thoracic HTSF to decrease offer the potential for neurological recovery and avoid secondary injury due to continued compression.","thumbnailUrl":"https://sni-digital-videos.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/09ebe88c-3a95-42a7-a869-8a41c9104e26/featured/hero-1781563415697.png","publishDate":"2020-05-30T00:00:00.000Z","doi":"10.25259/SNI_226_2020","categories":["Spine","Case Report"],"fullTextUrl":"https://surgicalneurologyint.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/10065/SNI-11-137.pdf"}