Demographics of Thoracolumbar Fracture in Indian Population Presenting to a Tertiary Level Trauma Centre

STUDY DESIGN: Prospective, cross-sectional, observational study. PURPOSE: Spine traumata are devastating injuries, which may result in serious disabilities and dire consequences. The current study involves a detailed analysis and description of patients, who were operated at a tertiary care, urban level 1 Spine Centre in India. OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE: Various studies in literature have discussed the epidemiology and patterns of these injuries in trauma patients. However, literature describing the demographic profile and distribution of these traumata in the Indian population is scarce. METHODS: The current study was conducted as a prospective trial involving patients, who were treated at our Spine Centre in India between July 2009 to December 2012. We studied 92 patients with thoraco-lumbar spine fracture, who were operated with short or long segment posterior stabilization. Epidemiological details, pre- and post-hospitalisation care received and other injury pattern factors were studied. RESULTS: Fall from height (46 patients, 50%) was the most common mechanism observed in the patients. Sixty-three percent injuries belonged to AO type A fractures, while 16.2% and 19.4% of the patients had suffered from AO types B and C injuries, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: We identified interesting epidemiological data and prevailing inadequacies in Emergency Spine care management in the study patients. These observations could facilitate implementation of the changes required to improve current standards of patient care.

Post Pregnancy Severe Spinal Osteoporosis with Multiple Vertebral Fractures and Kyphoscoliosis in a Multigravida: A Rare Case with Management

Osteoporosis associated with pregnancy and lactation is a less commonly known condition and often overlooked. The prevalence, exact aetiology and its pathogenesis are unknown. It is commonly seen in first three months after delivery in primigravida. It is often undiagnosed because of it not suspected n and X-rays and densitometry are avoided if possible during pregnancy and lactation. If missed, it can lead to osteoporotic fractures and disability. In this paper, we report a case of a 24-year-old multigravida 4 months after pregnancy with multiple vertebral compression fractures and kyphoscoliosis. Her metabolic workup was normal but bone densitometry revealed severe osteoporosis of the dorso-lumbar spine. Immediate weaning and antiresorptives like bisphosphonates and teriparatide are used as first line drugs to manage postpartum spinal osteoporosis. Our patient presented at 4 month lactation and did not want to wean her infant, so she was treated with total contact orthosis and took vitamin D and calcium. The pain was relieved within 3 months but there was no improvement in bone density. After eight months when the infant was weaned, she was treated with teriparatide. After one year of teriparatide therapy, there were no new fractures and densitometry scores improved.

High Grade Infective Spondylolisthesis of Cervical Spine Secondary to Tuberculosis

Spondylolisthesis coexisting with tuberculosis is rarely reported. There is a controversy whether spondylolisthesis coexists or precedes tuberculosis. Few cases of pathological spondylolisthesis secondary to tuberculous spondylodiscitis have been reported in the lumbar and lumbosacral spine. All cases in the literature presented as anterolisthesis, except one which presented as posterolisthesis of lumbar spine. Spondylolisthesis in the cervical spine is mainly degenerative and traumatic. Spondylolisthesis due to tuberculosis is not reported in the lower cervical spine. The exact mechanism of such an occurrence of spondylolisthesis with tuberculosis is sparsely reported in the literature and inadequately understood. We report a rare case of high grade pathological posterolisthesis of the lower cervical spine due to tubercular spondylodiscitis in a 67-year-old woman managed surgically with a three-year follow-up period. This case highlights the varied and complex presentation of tuberculosis of the lower cervical spine and gives insight into its pathogenesis, diagnosis, and management.