Türk Nöroşirürji Dergisi 2007 , Vol 17 , Num 2
Seizure Induced Lumbar Compression Fracture: Case Report
Bülent BAKAR1, Melike MUT2, Selim AYHAN3
1Özel MESA Hastanesi, Nöroşirürji, Ankara
2Yeditepe Üniversitesi, Nöroşirürji, İstanbul
3Hacettepe Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi, Nöroşirürji Anabilim Dalı, Ankara
Epilepsy patients have an increased risk for sustaining a fracture due to trauma, prolonged use of antiepileptic drugs and other factors. Vertebral fractures caused by a seizure are rarely reported in the literature. This report summarizes the findings of a 47-year-old male patient with L4 lumbar compression fracture after an epileptic seizure. The patient who had discontinued his drug fifteen months ago himself had a history of carbamazepine use for 8 years. He had an epileptic attack in his bed at the morning and suffered from back pain. The fracture was missed on the plain radiographs; however, detected coincidentally in abdominal computerized tomography (CT). Subsequent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) study established the diagnosis. The authors conclude that epilepsy patients presented with back pain should be radiologically evaluated to rule out possible vertebral fractures; a dedicated spinal CT and/or MRI should be employed due to considerable failure rate of plain radiographs. Many antiepileptic drugs increase the risk of osteoporosis and bone fractures, which may require medical prophylaxis or treatment when detected. Anahtar Kelimeler : Antiepileptic treatment, Compression fracture, Epilepsy, Lumbar, Osteoporosis