J Korean Orthop Assoc.  2013 Feb;48(1):43-48. 10.4055/jkoa.2013.48.1.43.

Traumatic Anterolateral Fracture-Dislocation of the Lumbosacral Spine by Horizontal Shear Force

Affiliations
  • 1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Hanyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. arcseo@hanmail.net

Abstract

Lumbosacral fracture-dislocation is very rare because of the characteristic anatomical features, and various displacements by injury mechanisms have been reported. Most of the reports were displaced by flexion, distraction, compression and rotation. Complete reduction and appropriate treatment can be difficult or impossible in the case of delayed diagnosis. We report a case of lumbosacral fracture & dislocation that occured in horizontal shear and flexion, which was correctly diagnosed and treated successfully with partial corpectomy, open reduction, posterior interbody fusion and transpedicular fixation with posterolateral fusion by posterior approach only.

Keyword

lumbosacral region; anterolateral fracture-dislocation; horizontal shear

MeSH Terms

Delayed Diagnosis
Dislocations
Lumbosacral Region
Spine

Figure

  • Figure 1 (A) Anteroposterior view of the lumbar spine in initial plain radiograph shows inferolateral translation of the fifth lumbar vertebra on sacrum without rotation. (B) Lateral view of the lumbar spine in initial plain radiograph shows anteroinferior translation of the fifth lumbar vertebra and spinous process fractures of forth and fifth lumbar vertebra.

  • Figure 2 In preoperative computerized tomography scan, (A) axial view of lumbosacral junction shows fracture of lamina, fifth lumbar body with canal encroachment and anterolateral translation of fifth lumbar vertebra on sacrum. Because horizontal shear force was main injury mechanism, there was fracture of lamina instead of facet dislocation by rotation. (B) Sagittal view of lumbosacral junction shows spinous process fractures of fourth and fifth lumbar vertebra and fifth vertebral body fracture with antero-inferior translation. (C) Three-dimensional reconstruction view of lumbosacral junction shows lateral displacement of vertebral body on promontory of sacrum.

  • Figure 3 (A, B) Preoperative T2 weighted magnetic resonance imaging shows large hematoma and translated intervertebral disc of L5-S1 in vertebral canal and loss of continuity in cauda equina.

  • Figure 4 (A) Intraoperative photograph shows posterolateral displacement of ruptured intervertebral disc of L5-S1. (B) En bloc resection of ruptured intervertebral disc was done.

  • Figure 5 Intraoperative photograph show partial corpected vertebral body of L5. L4-5 and L5-S1 intervertebral disc were resected.

  • Figure 6 (A, B) Plain radiographs at 1 year 2 months after operation shows interbody fusion between L4-5 and L5-S1 and posterolateral fusion between L3-S2.


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