Anterolateral dislocation of the lumbosacral junction

Abstract

An unusual case of anterolateral fracture-dislocation of the lumbosacral junction is reported, and seven additional cases from the literature are discussed. The mechanism of injury is forced hyperflexion and shear. The prevalence of neurologic involvement is high, as is the number of fractures of the adjacent spinal elements and the occurrence of disk fragments in the spinal canal. The value of plain radiography and computed tomography in diagnosis and planning treatment is illustrated.