Delayed Presentation of a Thoracic Aortic Injury With a Vertebral Pedicle Screw

Abstract

Iatrogenic aortic injuries by pedicle screws are rare but serious complications of spinal fixation surgery. We report the case of a 55-year-old man who underwent surgical correction of traumatic thoracic vertebral fractures at another institution. At 6-month follow-up, computed tomography revealed a nonhealing of the fractures, and a T4 misplaced pedicle screw penetrating the descending thoracic aorta. The patient underwent open aortic repair associated with the anterior vertebral column reconstruction and posterior arthrodesis revision by a vascular and orthopedic surgery team simultaneously.