Penetrating dorsolumbar injury from a bladed weapon with a retained foreign body and no neurological deficit: case report
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.70577/asce.v5i3.1104Keywords:
Spinal trauma; penetrating wounds; stab wound; foreign body; neurological injury.Abstract
Penetrating spinal injuries caused by stab wounds are uncommon but potentially severe because of the risk of neurological, vascular, and dural involvement. Objective: To describe the clinical and surgical management of a patient with a penetrating thoracolumbar stab injury, with a retained foreign body at the L1 level and preserved neurological function. Case report: A 40-year-old male with no relevant medical history was admitted after sustaining a penetrating thoracolumbar stab wound approximately seven hours earlier. He complained of moderate back pain and paresthesia in the right lower limb, without objective motor, sensory, or sphincter dysfunction. Computed tomography showed that the blade entered through the L1 pedicle without crossing the spinal canal. Tetanus prophylaxis and intravenous antibiotic therapy were administered, followed by controlled surgical removal, wound debridement, and culture sampling. No dural defect or cerebrospinal fluid leakage was identified. Results: Postoperative recovery was satisfactory, with resolution of paresthesia, preserved neurological function, and ambulation 12 hours after surgery. The patient was discharged in good clinical condition four days after admission. Conclusion: Thorough neurological assessment, computed tomography characterization, and controlled surgical removal of the retained object are essential to reduce complications in penetrating spinal injuries with preserved neurological function.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Dayana Elizaebth Torres Mantilla, Carolina Lisseth Zambrano Vera, Carla María Carrera Orellana, Michael Anthony Curimilma Jara
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