Osteoporotic Vertebral Compression Fractures Presenting With An Acute Ileus-- A Case report

We report a 76year-old female of T11and T12 vertebral compression fracture, presenting with abdominal pain and acute ileus but minimal back symptom within 24hours of onset. The treatment was focused on the abdominal condition, exploratory lapartotmy was done with normal intra-abdominal organ, except diffuse moderate distention of intestines. Gallium-67scan was arranged to differentiate recent fromold fracture. The mechanism of thoracolumbar compression fractures presenting with an acute ileus is possible due to the retroperitoneal hemorrhage or structure change irritating the sympathetic chains which innervate the intestines. Treatment of acute ileus were reviewed and discussed.