Pediatric transverse sacral fracture with cauda equina syndrome.

BACKGROUND CONTEXT

Transverse sacral fracture in pediatric patients is extremely uncommon with only nine cases reported in literature so far.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to heighten awareness and treatment options of a rare injury of traumatic pediatric transverse sacral fracture with cauda equina syndrome.

STUDY DESIGN

This is a clinical case report and literature review.

METHODS

We report a case of a 13-year-old girl with a Type III Roy-Camille, Zone III Denis sacral fracture whose only neurological deficit was a cauda equina syndrome with bowel and bladder involvement. She underwent emergent sacral laminectomy and surgical stabilization to decompress the cauda equina.

RESULTS

The patient regained bowel and bladder function at 6-month follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

This case is presented to highlight the rarity of a pediatric transverse sacral fracture, which requires a high index of suspicion as early decompression helps in reversing the neurological deficit.