[Surgical treatment of thoracic spine fracture in a patient with ankylosing spondylitis: case report and literature review].

Objective: To describe the features of diagnosis and surgical treatment of thoracic spine fracture in a patient with ankylosing spondylitis.

Material And Methods: We present a patient with ankylosing spondylitis, blunt thoracic spine trauma and Th10-Th11 fracture, spinal cord compression and contusion and moderate lower extremity paresis. Preoperative and postoperative CT and MRI (after 8 months) were performed for control of decompression.

Results: The authors identified the main factors affecting the quality of life of patients with spine fractures following ankylosing spondylitis and formulated treatment algorithm.

Conclusion: Active strategy is advisable for spine fractures following ankylosing spondylitis: spinal cord decompression, creation of anatomical compliance in the damaged vertebral segment and its fixation by transpedicular system. A similar surgical treatment of spine fractures following ankylosing spondylitis makes it possible to achieve early activation of patients and reduce rehabilitation period.