Change in pelvic incidence due to sacral stress fracture following multilevel instrumented fusion

BMJ Case Rep. 2024 Mar 12;17(3):e256319. doi: 10.1136/bcr-2023-256319.

Abstract

Multilevel-instrumented fusion is a common surgical technique used to treat adult spinal deformity (ASD), but it can occasionally lead to rare complications such as sacral insufficiency fractures. The impact of sacral fractures on spinopelvic parameters, particularly pelvic incidence (PI), has not been thoroughly investigated even though they have been documented in the literature. Here, we present a case of a patient who underwent a Th11-sacrum instrumented fusion for ASD. She underwent a revision surgery 18 months after the first procedure to treat proximal junctional pain brought on by a localised kyphosis of the rods. An asymptomatic sacral fracture was discovered during the radiological evaluation: the PI had increased from 71° to 103° between the 2 surgical procedures.

Keywords: Neurosurgery; Orthopaedics.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Female
  • Fractures, Stress* / complications
  • Humans
  • Kyphosis* / complications
  • Lumbar Vertebrae / surgery
  • Postoperative Complications / epidemiology
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Sacrum / surgery
  • Spinal Fractures* / etiology
  • Spinal Fusion* / adverse effects