[Ankylosing spinal fractures may result in perforation of oesophagus]

Oesophageal lesions due to spinal fractures are very rare and easily overlooked. In this case report a woman was involved in a minor car accident, and she was primarily examined at the accident and emergency department with no signs of fractures. Ten days later, she was readmitted due to high infection counts and back pain. She had an unstable fracture of Th4 and a perforation of the oesophagus due to ankylosing fractures. The case emphasises the need to pay attention to a possible development of secondary oesophageal perforation in ankylosing spines and unstable fractures, and the need for a special attention when examinating this group of patients.