Abstract
Non contiguous fractures in spinal trauma are not infrequent occurrences. Incidences in the literature have been cited as 3.2 to 16.7%. Of these the combination of cervical and lumber spine injuries are very uncommon (less than 0.5%). Isolated traumatic lumbosacral spondylolisthesis is a very uncommon occurrence and English language literature search reveals less than twenty cases reported.
We present a case which is a combination of an unstable C2 body fracture with a traumatic spondylolisthesis of L5 on S1. This is an unusual injury pattern and has never been reported before.
The case of a 17 year old man who had non contiguous cervical and lumber spine injuries was described and treatment modalities and rationale explained. Literature review and discussion on the subject of non contiguous spine injury is presented in the paper.
The outcome of treatment with internal fixation for the bifacetal fracture dislocation of the lumbosacral spine was discussed along with conservative management of the cervical spine injury. He had no residual limb weakness but had persistent bladder dysfunction since this injury.
Non contiguous spine injury is a commonly missed injury and the case we describe is a highly unusual but probable pattern of injury that has to be kept in mind in dealing with these kinds of injuries.
The abstracts were prepared by Editorial Secretary Jean-Claude Theis. Correspondence should be addressed to NZOA at Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Dunedin Hospital, Private Bag 1921, Dunedin, New Zealand.
