[Surgical treatment of thoracic spine fracture in a patient with ankylosing spondylitis: case report and literature review].

OBJECTIVE

To describe the features of diagnosis and surgical treatment of thoracic spine fracture in a patient with ankylosing spondylitis.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We present a patient with ankylosing spondylitis, blunt thoracic spine trauma and Th10-Th11 fracture, spinal cord compression and contusion and moderate lower extremity paresis. Preoperative and postoperative CT and MRI (after 8 months) were performed for control of decompression.

RESULTS

The authors identified the main factors affecting the quality of life of patients with spine fractures following ankylosing spondylitis and formulated treatment algorithm.

CONCLUSION

Active strategy is advisable for spine fractures following ankylosing spondylitis: spinal cord decompression, creation of anatomical compliance in the damaged vertebral segment and its fixation by transpedicular system. A similar surgical treatment of spine fractures following ankylosing spondylitis makes it possible to achieve early activation of patients and reduce rehabilitation period.