Complete fracture-dislocation of the thoracic spine with spontaneous neurologic decompression: a case report

Fracture-dislocations of the thoracic spine without spinal cord injury are very rare. We report a case of a complete T6-7 fracture-dislocation without neurologic deficit in a 61-year-old male Taiwanese. Complicating neurological deterioration on the fifth post-injury day during a nonoperative treatment with a Gardner-Wells skull tong and pelvic belt traction on a Stryker frame was noted. Emergent open reduction and posterior instrumentation with dual Harrington rods of T3 to T9 was performed. At 2-year follow-up examination, a good reduction was maintained and the patient had resumed full activities.