• Haggai Schermann, Yigal Mirovsky, and Yigal Chechik.
• Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Assaf Harofeh Medical Center, Zerifin.
• Spine. 2019 Oct 1; 44 (19): E1169-E1171.

Study DesignA case report.ObjectivePresentation of a patient diagnosed with perforation of the aorta by pedicle screws at levels T6 and T9 2 years after spinal fusion, who was advised no intervention. Review of other reported cases that did not undergo excision of the penetrating screws.Summary Of Background DataMore than 30 cases of aortic penetration by pedicle screws were described. Gradual penetration of the screws into the aorta rarely causes symptoms other than backache. However, only two cases were treated conservatively.MethodsA 65-year-old female patient underwent spinal decompression and T5-T10 posterior fusion following a spinal abscess. Two years and 8 months postoperatively, she underwent a computed tomography scan for suspicion of spinal hardware infection, which showed T6 and T10 screws penetrating the thoracic aorta.ResultsDue to high morbidity, the patient was not offered an operation for screw excision.ConclusionThis case report adds to the only two previous reports of patients who did not undergo revision of pedicle screws penetrating thoracic aorta.Level Of Evidence5.

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