Lateral distraction injury to the lumbar spine. Report of spontaneous reduction.

Abstract

A patient with a lateral distraction injury of the lumbar spine that reduced spontaneously and not associated with any thoracic or abdominal injury is reported. A brief summary of the clinical presentation is given as is the surgical technique employed. Lateral distraction injuries of the thoracolumbar spine associate a distraction injury with lateral bending in the frontal plane, causing unilateral disruption of the ligamentous and osseous restraints. The have been associated with life-threatening thoracic and abdominal injuries. Closed reduction of this spine injury is not believed to be feasible. This case introduces interesting new features to this spine lesion. It is the first reported case with documented spontaneous reduction.