Conus medullaris syndrome without lower-extremity involvement in L-1 burst fractures: report of four cases

J Neurosurg Spine. 2006 Mar;4(3):265-9. doi: 10.3171/spi.2006.4.3.265.

Abstract

Conus medullaris injury from burst fractures is known to occur in conjunction with other neurological deficits, including lower-extremity motor weakness or sensory changes. Rarely does an isolated conus medullaris injury occur from an extradural cause without other neurological deficits. The authors report four cases of L-1 burst fractures in which conus medullaris dysfunction was the sole neurological injury in the absence of lower-extremity involvement.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Decompression, Surgical
  • Humans
  • Lumbar Vertebrae
  • Male
  • Neurosurgical Procedures / methods*
  • Plastic Surgery Procedures / methods
  • Spinal Cord Compression / etiology*
  • Spinal Cord Compression / pathology
  • Spinal Cord Compression / surgery
  • Spinal Fractures / complications*
  • Spinal Fractures / surgery