Thoracic Compression Fracture Following Electro-Convulsive Therapy

Spine fractures occur less than 1% after electro-convulsive therapy(ECT). We report a rare case of thoracic compression fracture due to seizure after ECT. The patient was a 37-year-old female who suffered from major depression disorder. She received ECT six times in total. She complained of back pain after fifth ECT. There was no history of trauma. On thoracic CT and MRI, compression fracture of T4 body was clearly shown, but cord injury was not evident. After one month of bed rest, her back pain was improved. We discuss the mechanism of vertebral fracture after ECT with literature review.