Stand-alone balloon kyphoplasty for the treatment of a traumatic burst fracture in a pediatric patient: case report.

BACKGROUND: Kyphoplasty is commonly employed in the treatment of compression fractures in the elderly and is increasingly utilized in the treatment of adult trauma along with concomitant instrumentation. Although kyphoplasty with instrumentation has been reported in pediatric patients, concerns regarding retardation of spinal growth and iatrogenic spinal deformity have been raised. The utilization of kyphoplasty without instrumentation has yet to be reported in the case of pediatric patients.

CASE DESCRIPTION: A 13-year old male presented to the emergency room with a traumatic L2 burst fracture with 50% loss of height which continued to cause severe pain after a trial of bracing. He was subsequently treated with a kyphoplasty without instrumentation. He experienced a rapid and excellent recovery and resumed all previous activity.

CONCLUSION: Kyphoplasty alone without instrumentation is a less invasive means to treat these patients and also prevents iatrogenic deformity or retardation of growth in the pediatric spine.