International Medical Case Reports Journal (Jan 2024)
Upper Thoracic Spine (D2-D3) Fracture With Unilateral Lock Facets Without Associated Neurological Deficits: Case Report & Literature Review
Abstract
Mohammad Mohsin Arshad, Muhammad Mohsin Khan, Ghanem Al Sulaiti, Ghaya Al Rumaihi Department of Neurosurgery, Neuroscience Institute, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, QatarCorrespondence: Mohammad Mohsin Arshad, Hamad Medical Corporation, PO Box 3050, Doha, Qatar, Tel +974 33159377, Fax +974 44398190, Email [email protected]: Upper thoracic spine fractures are rare as compared to other spine segments due to anatomical landmarks. If they occur, they are usually associated with paraplegia or any other neurological dysfunction. We report upper thoracic fracture without neurological dysfunction which is a rare entity along with its radiological imaging, and management plan.Case Description: Forty-years old male presented after RTA. CT spine showed T2 vertebral body fracture with dislocation/locking of the right T2-T3 facet joint. The patient underwent surgical fixation and was neurologically intact.Conclusion: Upper thoracic spine fracture is a rare entity due to its anatomical location. And sometimes it is missed as well. Proper imaging should be considered if there is high suspicion and early surgery is warranted to prevent permanent damage.Keywords: unilateral locked facet, upper thoracic spine, spinal trauma, thoracic dislocation, fracture, spine
