Iatrogenic Spinal Cord Injury in a Trauma Patient with Ankylosing Spondylitis

The recommended practice for over 30 years has been to routinely immobilize patients with unstable cervical spinal injuries using cervical spinal collars. It is shown that patients with Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) are four times more likely to suffer a spinal fracture compared to the general population and have an eleven-fold greater risk of spinal cord injury. Current protocols of spinal immobilization were responsible for secondary neurologic deterioration in some of these patients.

To describe an iatrogenic injury resulting from the use of a rigid spinal board and advocate for the use of alternative immobilization methods or no immobilization at all.

We present our case here of a 68-year-old male with a history of AS. The patient was ambulatory on scene after a low speed car accident, but immobilized with a rigid backboard by paramedics. He developed back pain and paraplegia suddenly when the backboard was lifted for transport to the hospital. A CT scan revealed an extension fraction of T10 to T11 with involvement of the posterior column. Emergency spinal fusion was performed. Patient died of complications in the hospital.

This case shows that spinal immobilization should be avoided in cases of ambulatory patients without a clear indication. Alternative transport methods such as vacuum mattresses should be considered when spinal immobilization is indicated, especially for patients with predispositions to spinal injury, particularly AS, to maintain the natural alignment of the spinal curvature.