Proximal instrumented vertebral body chance fracture after pedicle screw instrumentation in a thoracic kyphosis patient with osteoporosis.

STUDY DESIGN: We present a case of proximal vertebral body chance fracture after pedicle screw instrumentation and fusion in a 67-year-old woman with osteoporosis and thoracic kyphosis.

OBJECTIVE: To report the rare and unique complication of proximal vertebral body chance fracture after pedicle screw instrumentation and fusion in a kyphosis patient.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Pedicle screw instrumentation has been associated with complications not limited to neurological or vascular injury, loss of curve correction, intraoperative pedicle fracture or loosening, dural laceration, deep infection, and pseudarthrosis. To the best of our knowledge, there are no previous reports describing a chance-type fracture generated by a pedicle screw fixation at the proximal end of a construct.

METHODS: A 67-year-old woman suffered from progressive thoracic kyphosis and mid thoracic pain presented 2 weeks after pedicle screw instrumentation and correction. She developed a vertebral body fracture at the proximal end of the instrumentation construct. Surgical intervention, including removal of the screws in the fractured vertebrae and extension of the instrumented fusion across the cervicothoracic junction, effectively restored the physiological sagittal alignment.

RESULTS: Postoperatively, at 12-month follow-up, the patient is doing exceptionally well with near-complete relief of back pain and an excellent maintenance of correction.

CONCLUSIONS: Chance fracture in osteoporotic bone at the proximal end of a construct due to a pedicle screw is a rare complication but it may result in catastrophic consequences. Early recognition of this complication, reduction of the fraction-dislocation, and an extension of the instrumentation can be utilized for realignment and long-term stabilization.