Neuropathic spinal arthropathy leading to spine disruption, spinal cord transection, and aortic displacement: brief case report

Charcot spinal arthropathy (CSA) is a rare but serious complication following spinal cord injury. It involves progressive degeneration of the spine. This case report describes a man with long-term paraplegia who developed severe CSA. The condition led to spine disruption and aortic displacement. The patient experienced painless crepitance. Imaging revealed a large Charcot mass causing displacement and deformation of the aorta.

• 1
  The patient presented with a 48-year history of T3 AIS A paraplegia. He experienced painless low back crepitance.
• 2
  MRI revealed a destructive process with pseudarthrosis and retrolisthesis, near obliteration of the spinal canal, marked bone formation, and fluid collection.
• 3
  Extensive pre-vertebral bone formation caused displacement and deformation of the abdominal aorta anteriorly.