Radiation-Free Management of Lumbar Spine Burst Fractures in Pregnant Women: A Report of Two Cases.

CASE: We present the strategies we used in surgical management of delayed presentation of traumatic lumbar fractures with neurological deficits in 2 young primigravida mothers in early trimesters of pregnancy. Posterior stabilization was achieved in a prone position using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) without radiation.

CONCLUSIONS

Management of spinal cord injury in pregnancy is a delicate scenario in which risks and benefits of surgery have to be explained to the patient for whom surgical management is contemplated. Risk of radiation to the fetus is completely avoided by using MRI perioperatively to assess injury and outcome.