Seizure-induced lumbar burst fracture associated with conus medullaris-cauda equina compression

Abstract

A 36-year-old male developed a burst fracture of the L1 vertebra following a seizure. The patient experienced conus-cauda equina compression resulting in urinary retention and patchy sensory loss. An MRI of the spine revealed short tau inversion recovery (STIR) hyperintensity at L1 with 70% loss of vertebral body height, 8-mm posterior bony retropulsion into the spinal canal and T2-weighted hyperintensity in the cord, which is consistent with cord edema. A thorough physical exam and imaging is critical for immediate diagnosis of spine injuries to prevent grave neurological complications.