Intercostal artery rupture associated with thoracic spinal hyperextension injury caused by a minor trauma: A case report

Abstract

Diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis is associated with hyperextension injury of the spine caused by a minor trauma and may often be diagnosed late, thus preventing effective treatment. To date, there have been no reported cases of segmental arterial injury associated with a hyperextension injury caused by a minor trauma in super-elderly patients with diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis. Herein, we present the findings and treatment provided for a 92-year-old woman with a right massive hemothorax and 12th thoracic vertebral fracture. The patient was diagnosed with diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis. Bleeding stopped naturally, and we successfully treated the patient using posterior fixation with percutaneous pedicle screws. At 6 months post-surgery, there was no complication, instrumentation failure, or correction loss, and she could walk independently using a cane. To our knowledge, this is the first report of intercostal artery rupture and massive hemothorax associated with diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis fracture caused by a minor trauma. It is notable that diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis following a minor trauma in such elderly patients may cause segmental arterial rupture associated with spinal burst fracture and hyperextension injury.

Keywords

• Diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis
• Hemothorax
• Spinal fracture
• Delayed diagnosis
• Extension injury