Spinal Cord Series and Cases, 2021 · DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41394-021-00393-7 · Published: March 4, 2021
This case report describes a 52-year-old male with chronic complete tetraplegia who experienced unremitting autonomic dysreflexia (AD). After an extensive workup, the patient was found to have bilateral sacral insufficiency fractures, which were treated with sacroplasty. Following the procedure, the patient experienced immediate resolution of AD symptoms and returned to his premorbid function within 24 hours.
Sacroplasty can be considered as a treatment option for intractable AD caused by sacral insufficiency fractures in patients with chronic tetraplegia.
The case emphasizes the need for multidisciplinary collaboration among healthcare providers in managing complex SCI patients to improve patient outcomes.
Pathologic spinal column fractures should be considered in the differential diagnosis of chronic SCI patients presenting with unexplained autonomic dysreflexia.