Case Reports
. 2021 Apr 19;17(1):70-74.
doi: 10.13004/kjnt.2021.17.e8.
eCollection 2021 Apr.
Affiliations
Affiliation
- 1 Department of Neurosurgery, Yeungnam University Hospital, Yeungnam University College of Medicine, Daegu, Korea.
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Case Reports
Insu Seong et al.
Korean J Neurotrauma.
.
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. 2021 Apr 19;17(1):70-74.
doi: 10.13004/kjnt.2021.17.e8.
eCollection 2021 Apr.
Affiliation
- 1 Department of Neurosurgery, Yeungnam University Hospital, Yeungnam University College of Medicine, Daegu, Korea.
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Abstract
Vertebral extension-distraction fractures are a type of unstable fracture and require surgical stabilization with instrumentation. Unfortunately, in elderly patients with severe osteoporosis, poor bone quality can be related to postoperative pseudo-arthrosis and instability. Teriparatide is known as an effective anabolic agent for bone healing, union, and managing osteoporosis. In this report, we describe a rare case of extension-distraction thoracolumbar fractures in 86-year-old female patient with severe osteoporosis, which was treated conservatively. The patient was inoperable due to the presence of concomitant cardiopulmonary problems and the patients’ old age. She had poor bone quality on bone mineral densitometry (-6.7, lumbar spine) but no neurologic deficits. As conservative treatment, bedrest and pain control were first performed for three weeks along with the use of teriparatide for 6-month and supplementation of calcium and vitamin D. Afterwards, sitting and standing with wearable orthoses were gradually implemented. After 1 year, the patient achieved bone fusion and was able to walk by herself, and there was radiological correction of the initial segmental lordotic curvature and disappearance of the intravertebral gap caused by the extension-distraction fracture.
Keywords:
Extension-distraction injury; Fracture; Osteoporosis; Spine; Teriparatide.
Copyright © 2021 Korean Neurotraumatology Society.
Conflict of interest statement
Conflict of Interest: The authors have no financial conflicts of interest.
Figures

FIGURE 1. Case 1, 86-year-old female patient…
FIGURE 1. Case 1, 86-year-old female patient presenting acute severe back pain. Initial lateral plain…
FIGURE 1. Case 1, 86-year-old female patient presenting acute severe back pain. Initial lateral plain X-ray (A) and sagittal and coronal views of computed tomography (B and C) shows extension-distraction fracture with segmental lordotic change and loss of cortical continuity of vertebral body of T12. On magnetic resonance imaging (D), there are fluid signal within the intravertebral cleft and disconnection of anterior longitudinal ligament of T12.

FIGURE 2. Case 1, 12-month follow-up after…
FIGURE 2. Case 1, 12-month follow-up after conservative treatment with 6-month of teriparatide. On 3-…
FIGURE 2. Case 1, 12-month follow-up after conservative treatment with 6-month of teriparatide. On 3- and 6-month follow-up CT scan (A and B), the collapse of fractured vertebral body proceeds with reducing intravertebral cleft. The calcification and fusion of the interspinous space were identified earlier than the formation of bone bridges around and inside the fractured vertebra. Bone fusion with bone bridging and ankyloses around the fractured vertebral body, correction of the initial segmental lordotic change, and disappearance of the intravertebral gap were noted at 1-year follow-up on CT scan and lateral plain X-ray (C).
CT: computed tomography.
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