Pneumorachis, A Rare Post-Traumatic Complication

Abstract

The presence of air in the spinal canal defines pneumorachis, which is a rarely reported entity; exceptionally, it is found during a road traffic accident (MVA). We present the case of a 36-year-old patient who suffered an MVA. The work-up showed multiple fractures of the cephalic extremity, pneumocephalus, pulmonary contusions, pneumomediastinum, moderate bilateral hemopneumothorax, thoracic vertebral and costal fractures and moderate cervicothoracic pneumorachis. Spinal lesions are thought to be the cause of this pneumorachis. Lesions of the parietal pleura and meninges are thought to be responsible for air escaping from the pleural space into the spinal canal from D2 to D7. Although rare, the literature reports similar observations of post-traumatic pneumorachis. The diffusion of air bubbles into the spinal canal is a direct consequence of the rupture of a solid organ and a spinal lesion. The discovery of air bubbles should therefore prompt a search for other lesions that may explain their formation.