Delayed neurological insufficiency caused by transverse sacral fracture after minor trauma in elderly patients

Neurol Med Chir (Tokyo). 2011;51(6):427-30. doi: 10.2176/nmc.51.427.

Abstract

Sacral fractures in elderly patients with associated lumbosacral lesions can be overlooked easily because of vague symptoms and delayed neurological insufficiency. A 70-year-old female and a 73-year-old female presented with delayed neurological insufficiency caused by transverse sacral fracture after minor trauma. Both patients had suffered from lower extremity symptoms with dysuresia and dyschezia for more than a month. Coexisting lumbosacral pathological lesions may confuse the correct diagnosis for sacral fractures. Decompressive sacral laminectomy was performed, and the patients showed relatively favorable outcomes.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Decompression, Surgical / methods
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Intervertebral Disc Displacement / complications*
  • Intervertebral Disc Displacement / surgery
  • Laminectomy
  • Polyradiculopathy / etiology*
  • Polyradiculopathy / therapy
  • Pubic Bone / injuries
  • Sacrum / injuries*
  • Spinal Fractures / complications*
  • Spinal Fractures / therapy
  • Spinal Nerve Roots / injuries
  • Spinal Nerve Roots / physiopathology
  • Time Factors
  • Treatment Outcome