Post-traumatic arachnoiditis ossificans of the thoracic spine. A case report with literature review

Background: Post-traumatic thoracic arachnoiditis ossificans (AO) is extremely rare in clinical practice. The lesion is a rare pathological entity usually confined to the thoracic and high lumbar regions that can cause progressive spinal cord myelopathy. The aim: To report a case of AO and to report briefly the literature. Case report: A case of posttraumatic AO secondary to lumbar fixation and decompression surgery for unstable thoracic fractures is reported. Conclusion: A thoracic computed tomography scan is the best investigation of the diagnosis of arachnoiditis ossificans. Magnetic resonance imaging of the spinal cord and potential coexisting pathology make both necessary.